Umbilical hernia

Updated: 2024-07-02

Description

A condition in which the intestine pokes through the abdominal muscles.

Overview

Umbilical hernias are a common and usually harmless condition in infants. Umbilical hernias also can affect adults.

Symptoms

A common symptom of an umbilical hernia is a belly button that sticks out. In infants, this may be most noticeable when they cry.

Treatments

Many hernias close on their own by age 1. Umbilical hernias that don't disappear by age 4 or those that appear during adulthood can be surgically repaired to prevent complications.