Umbilical HerniaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Umbilical Hernia
An umbilical hernia is an outward bulge in the area around the belly button. It occurs when internal organs or the abdominal lining bulges through the muscles near the belly button.
In the womb, the umbilical cord is attached to the baby through an opening in the baby's abdomen. After birth, this opening normally closes. When this area doesn't close completely, it leaves a weak spot in the abdomen, which can lead to a hernia. Hernias may be seen after birth or later in life.
Umbilical hernias are common in infants. They occur slightly more often in African Americans. Most umbilical hernias are not related to disease. Some umbilical hernias are linked with rare conditions such as Down syndrome.
A hernia can vary in width from less than 1 centimeter (cm) to more than 5 cm (or about 1/2 inch (in) to 2 in).
There is a soft swelling over the belly button that often bulges when your baby sits up, cries, or strains. The bulge may be flat when your infant lies on their back and is quiet. Umbilical hernias are usually painless.
Most hernias in children heal on their own. Surgery to repair the hernia is needed only in the following cases:
- The hernia does not heal after your child is 3 or 4 years old.
- The intestine or other tissue bulges out and loses its blood supply (becomes strangulated). This is an emergency that needs surgery right away.
St. Peter's General Surgery - Suite 308
Barbara Brazis is a General Surgeon practicing medicine in Albany, New York. She has been practicing medicine for over 35 years. Dr. Brazis is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Umbilical Hernia. She is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Umbilical Hernia, Breast Cancer, Hernia, Hernia Surgery, and Ileostomy. Dr. Brazis is board certified in American Board Of Surgery, General. Dr. Brazis is currently accepting new patients.
Texas Health Surgical Specialists
Robert Hagood is a General Surgeon practicing medicine in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Hagood is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Umbilical Hernia. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hernia, Gallbladder Disease, Umbilical Hernia, Hernia Surgery, and Small Bowel Resection.
Texas Health Surgical Specialists
Board-certified general surgeon Jeffrey Holloway, D.O., is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery with special focus on gastrointestinal surgical techniques. Dr. Holloway received his Doctor of Osteopathy from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth before going on to complete his general surgery internship and residency through the University of Missouri – Kansas City Affiliated Hospitals system. While studying in Kansas City, he served as chief resident at Truman Medical Center & Saint Luke's Hospital and at Kansas City Veterans Administration Hospital.After completing his fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery through the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. Holloway returned to Missouri. He worked for seven years with Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Mo., providing general and trauma surgical expertise, before making a move to North Texas.Dr. Holloway brings more than a decade of research and surgical care experience to Texas Health Surgical Care Southwest. His special interests include GI surgery with an emphasis in laparoscopic techniques. He places a high priority on improving the quality of life for individuals with chronic health conditions and surgical needs. Dr. Holloway speaks fluent Spanish. Dr. Holloway is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Umbilical Hernia. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Gallstones, Choledocholithiasis, Ogilvie Syndrome, Gastrostomy, and Hernia Surgery.
Most umbilical hernias get better without treatment by the time the child is 3 to 4 years old. If surgery is needed, it is usually successful.
Strangulation of the intestines can occur. This complication is rare but serious and needs surgery right away.
Contact your child's provider or go to the emergency room if:
- Your baby is very fussy
- Your baby seems to have bad abdominal pain
- The hernia becomes tender, swollen, or discolored
There is no known way to prevent an umbilical hernia. Taping or strapping an umbilical hernia will not make it go away.
Summary: This observational study aims to compare the postoperative analgesic effectiveness of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and single-dose epidural anesthesia in patients undergoing umbilical hernia surgery. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at predefined postoperative time points. The study seeks to determine which analgesic approach provides...
Summary: This study explores the use of an exclusive human milk diet versus standard feeding practices to compare the influence on feeding outcomes and the gut bacteria in infants with intestinal differences.
Published Date: July 01, 2025
Published By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Eichenwald EC. The umbilicus. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 144.
Jeyarajah DR, Dunbar KB. Abdominal hernias and gastric volvulus. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 27.
Sujka JA, Holcomb GW. Umbilical and other abdominal wall hernias. In: Holcomb GW, Murphy JP, St. Peter SD, eds. Holcomb and Ashcraft's Pediatric Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 49.