Can infant umbilical hernia be treated with hot compresses?

Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
Updated on July 02, 2025
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Infant umbilical hernia is caused by congenital underdevelopment of the navel, typically protruding during intense, prolonged crying or increased gastrointestinal gas, which raises abdominal pressure. No special treatment is needed, and heat application is also unnecessary and ineffective. Over 80% of infant umbilical hernias gradually narrow and even close naturally as the child ages and grows physically. Only a small portion of children who still have significant umbilical hernias after the age of two, or those with a hernia ring diameter greater than 2cm, have a low likelihood of natural healing. In these cases, surgical intervention is required.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Is it normal for a baby to have an umbilical hernia with a belly button sound?

Infant umbilical hernia is caused by a congenitally weak abdominal wall around the navel, allowing organs within the abdominal cavity, such as intestines, to protrude through the hernia spot. If bowel sounds are enhanced, one might hear noises from the belly button. This is usually not concerning as long as there is no incarceration. Generally, it is important to avoid causing the child to cry intensely for long periods and to actively treat and prevent gastrointestinal diseases to avoid excessive abdominal pressure that can lead to frequent protrusions from the navel. Most umbilical hernias will gradually close and heal before the age of two as the child grows and their physique develops. Only a small portion of children with a large hernia ring diameter, such as more than two centimeters, or children who still have a noticeable umbilical hernia after the age of two, might require surgical intervention for treatment.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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When does an infant's umbilical hernia require surgery?

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.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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Which is more serious, umbilical hernia or inguinal hernia?

Umbilical hernia and inguinal hernia both occur due to a weak abdominal wall, where abdominal contents protrude through a narrow hernial sac to the surface, causing symptoms. If incarceration occurs in either an umbilical hernia or an inguinal hernia, it cannot be said which type is more severe. The severity depends on the incarcerated contents and the stage of associated blood supply disruption. Immediate surgery is necessary if incarceration causes bowel necrosis, as it can lead to paralysis, necrosis, systemic symptoms, and even death. Compared to inguinal hernia, the hernial ring in an umbilical hernia appears smaller and is more prone to incarceration. Therefore, for umbilical hernias occurring in infants over two years old and adults, we opt for prompt surgical treatment to prevent future complications. In the case of an inguinal hernia, if there is no obvious incarceration, we may observe temporarily and choose surgical treatment when the body is able to tolerate surgery.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Will an umbilical hernia hurt?

Umbilical hernia can cause pain, especially during incarceration and strangulation. Generally, umbilical hernias are caused by factors such as pregnancy, excessive omental fat, chronic coughing, and severe constipation. A sudden increase in abdominal pressure may lead to the incarceration of the omentum or intestines, causing significant pain and hardening of the hernial mass. In such cases, emergency surgery may be necessary. For adults, traditional tissue repair or open tension-free hernia repair is generally chosen, while minimally invasive treatment options may be selected for specific groups. In children, umbilical hernias are typically observed conservatively, and if the umbilical ring remains larger than 1.5cm after the age of two, surgery should be considered.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Will an umbilical hernia get bigger as it grows?

Umbilical hernias may increase in size, particularly in middle-aged, obese women who have been pregnant multiple times, have excessive fat in the greater omentum during pregnancy, or have chronic conditions such as persistent coughs, which can cause continuous increased pressure in the abdominal cavity. This may lead to the gradual enlargement of the hernia sac in an umbilical hernia, and it is very prone to becoming incarcerated. The contents of the incarceration might include the greater omentum or the intestines, particularly the small intestine. Once incarceration and strangulation occur, it is generally recommended that adults with umbilical hernias undergo surgery as soon as possible, with emergency surgical treatment needed in cases of incarceration. Traditional surgical methods include tissue suture repair or open umbilical hernia tension-free repair. If a minimally invasive option is available, it is generally less traumatic and particularly suitable for obese patients.