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Umbilical hernia - Treatment

Treatment:

Usually, no treatment is needed unless the hernia continues past age 3 or 4. In very rare cases, bowel or other tissue can bulge out and lose its blood supply (become strangulated). This is an emergency needing surgery.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most umbilical hernias get better without treatment by the time the child is 3 - 4 years old. Those that do not close may need surgery. Umbilical hernias are usually painless.

Complications:

Strangulation of bowel tissue is rare but serious, and needs immediate surgery.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider, or go to the emergency room if the infant has abdominal pain, or if the hernia becomes tender, swollen, or discolored -- especially if the baby also has signs of peritonitis or shock.

Umbilical hernia

Reviewed last on: 8/15/2007
Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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