When does an infant's umbilical hernia require surgery?

Written by Zhang Xian Hua

Pediatrics

Updated on June 27, 2025

00:00

00:00

Most cases of umbilical hernia in infants do not require surgery, as 80% of infants with an umbilical hernia will see it gradually close as they grow older and their bodies develop. Surgery is only necessary in a small number of children if the hernia is still pronounced after the age of two, or if the hernia ring is too large, exceeding 2 cm in diameter, and cannot heal naturally. Surgery is also required if the hernia becomes incarcerated. In other cases, it is sufficient to prevent the child from crying excessively, avoid prolonged crying, and actively prevent and treat digestive system diseases in children to reduce abdominal pressure and prevent protrusion.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

55sec

home-news-image

Can umbilical hernia be vaccinated against?

After the birth of a child, it is necessary to vaccinate on schedule. There are some situations where vaccination is not possible. When a child has an umbilical hernia, it means that there is a protrusion at the navel, with abdominal contents pushing through a weak spot around the navel, forming an umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernias in children do not affect the vaccination of various vaccines, so parents can take their children to the local vaccination department to get vaccinated on schedule. At the same time, try to avoid letting the child cry loudly, as most umbilical hernias in children can heal by themselves within two years. Only more severe umbilical hernias may require surgical treatment. Therefore, parents can rest assured and take their children for vaccinations on time, as the umbilical hernia does not affect vaccination.

home-news-image

Written by Liu Li

Pediatrics

37sec

home-news-image

How to relieve pain from baby's umbilical hernia?

If the child exhibits symptoms of umbilical hernia pain, this condition can be treated conservatively. Normally, after birth, babies will experience minor umbilical hernias, which are a normal physiological reaction and do not require treatment. Generally, by the time the child reaches about two years old, the umbilical hernia will gradually resolve on its own. It is also essential to ensure that the child remains emotionally stable and does not frequently cry. If the hernia has not fully resolved after the age of two, some reparative methods should be used for treatment.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

1min 3sec

home-news-image

Why has the umbilical hernia become hard?

If the umbilical hernia becomes hard, it may indicate that it has become incarcerated. In such cases, vigorous activities should be avoided and one should rest appropriately or try to manually reduce the protruding hernia sac back into the abdominal cavity. In this situation, close observation is needed to check for intestinal necrosis or even rupture of the hernia. Generally, for umbilical hernias, most children can heal naturally within two years, particularly within the first six months if conservative treatment is chosen. One can use a coin or a piece of paper larger than the umbilical ring, wrap it around, press it against the umbilical ring, and then secure it with adhesive tape to prevent movement, which generally leads to healing within six months. If the umbilical ring still has a diameter greater than 1.5 cm after two years, surgical treatment is recommended as early as possible. If the child is over five years old and the umbilical hernia has not healed, timely surgical intervention should be chosen.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Xian Hua

Pediatrics

1min

home-news-image

"Measures for handling umbilical hernia in infants"

Infant umbilical hernia occurs due to a weak abdominal wall in the navel area and incomplete prenatal development. It generally poses no significant harm, but measures should be taken to prevent frequent protrusion of the hernia. It is usually advisable to avoid excessive crying and prolonged episodes of crying in children, and to actively prevent and treat digestive system diseases in children to reduce the chance of increased gas in the gastrointestinal tract and increased abdominal pressure, which can lead to protrusion of the navel and discomfort for the child. Therefore, in over 80% of children with umbilical hernias, the hernia ring will gradually narrow and shrink as the child grows and develops physically, achieving healing by the age of two. Only less than 20% of children, particularly those with a hernia ring diameter greater than 2cm, or who clearly have an umbilical hernia at the age of two, will require surgical treatment.

home-news-image

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

48sec

home-news-image

What should I do about my baby's umbilical hernia?

If your baby has an umbilical hernia, there is no need to panic. Generally speaking, this hernia occurs because the area around the baby's navel is not fully developed, leading to the hernia. It usually becomes more noticeable after crying - clearly protruding, but it can retract after resting. Typically, between one to two years old, the hernia may resolve by itself, so there's no need for special treatment. If you feel compelled to do something, you can buy a belt at a maternity and baby store and place a coin or another hard, flat object beneath it to press down on the navel, which can help the hernia repair sooner. However, if the hernia is large and still protrudes noticeably after the age of two, surgical intervention might be necessary.