Taping baby bellies: a simple fix for umbilical hernias?
NCT ID NCT07735260
First seen Jul 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Umbilical hernias are common in infants and often close on their own by school age. This trial tests whether taping the hernia — applying medical tape to keep the belly button from protruding — can make it disappear more quickly. Researchers will randomly assign babies aged 1 to 3 months with a visible hernia to either taping or standard observation, then check closure rates at 6 and 12 months. The study also looks at parent quality of life and any complications.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- taping of the umbilical hernia
- What this could lead to
- If taping works, it could offer a simple, non-surgical way to speed up hernia closure in infants, potentially reducing the need for surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial. Taping may not speed up closure, and the hernia might still require surgery. Skin irritation from the tape is a possible risk.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 82 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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1 month to 3 months
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Infants with protruding umbilical hernias with a visible protrusion above the level of the abdominal wall * Infants over 1 month of age and under 3 months of age * If the patient is born prematurely (\<37 0/7 weeks) it has to also be at least 4 weeks old AND over 32 weeks postmenstrual age (see below) and younger than 52 weeks postmenstrual age (i.e. 3 months of corrected age) * Legal custodian gives consent to participation in study Exclusion Criteria: * Umbilical abnormalities, such as stump still in place, continuing wet umbilicus or umbilical granuloma * Premature infants younger than 32 weeks of postmenstrual age * Patients with known underlying skin diseases in whom taping may cause extensive skin damage, such as Epidermolysis bullosa * Patients after suture-less closure of gastroschisis * Patients in whom the umbilical tapes cannot be positioned as per study protocol, e.g. in patients with intestinal ostomies.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University Children's Hospital of Zurich
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8008, Switzerland
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