Early symptoms and manifestations of umbilical hernia

Written by Zeng Hai Jiang

Pediatrics

Updated on April 23, 2025

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Umbilical hernia is a common umbilical disease, characterized by the hernial sac protruding through the umbilical ring. This condition has a higher incidence rate in infants. As infants grow older, most cases can be resolved, but a few children may require surgical intervention. Early signs of umbilical hernia include a soft bulge and protrusion at the navel. The protrusion at the umbilical area may increase when the infant cries, coughs, defecates, or struggles due to increased abdominal pressure, and it can decrease or disappear when the infant is calm and asleep. However, if the child experiences severe abdominal pain or vomiting, this could be an indication of incarcerated umbilical hernia, and it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua

Pediatrics

55sec

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Can infant umbilical hernia be cured?

Infant umbilical hernia is caused due to the weak abdominal wall around the navel and inadequate prenatal development. About 80% of infant umbilical hernias will gradually decrease and close as the child grows older and their physique develops. During this period, it is sufficient to avoid increased abdominal pressure, typically by preventing prolonged and intense crying in the child, and by actively treating gastrointestinal diseases that increase gas and abdominal pressure. Previously, children were often treated using umbilical hernia belts; however, there is now scientific evidence showing these are ineffective. Conversely, improper use of an umbilical hernia belt can cause damage to the child's abdominal skin. If the child's hernia has not healed by age two, or if the hernia ring is larger than 2 cm in diameter, surgical treatment may be necessary.

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General Surgery

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Can an umbilical hernia cause a baby to cry?

Umbilical hernia can cause babies to cry because it might lead to incarceration, although the chance of this occurring is generally low. It is more likely to happen when there's a sudden increase in abdominal pressure in children. In cases of incarceration, if it involves the small intestine, it can cause the child to experience abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, etc. Therefore, the baby may cry. Crying might also aggravate the incidence of incarceration. So, for umbilical hernias with noticeable protrusion, it is important to soothe the patient promptly and avoid vigorous activities. One can use a coin or cardboard larger than the umbilical ring, cover it, hold it against the ring and secure it with adhesive tape to prevent it from moving and the hernia from protruding. This method can generally be used until the child is two years old, because umbilical hernias in children can heal by themselves before this age. If the umbilical ring is still relatively large after two years, timely surgical treatment should be considered.

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Does adult umbilical hernia affect the body?

Adult umbilical hernias definitely impact the body, as they primarily involve abdominal contents protruding through a weak area of the abdominal wall at the navel, which can easily lead to hernia incarceration. This causes compression of the intestinal tract, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation that are difficult to alleviate, as well as abdominal wall pain and localized inflammatory reactions. Such cases generally require surgical treatment. In early stages of an umbilical hernia, there is concern for gradual expansion of the hernia ring, which warrants early intervention, possibly involving padding and bandaging the weak spot in the abdominal wall to prevent the protrusion of abdominal contents. If the umbilical hernia frequently protrudes, it is necessary to consider surgery as soon as possible.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

1min

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Can an umbilical hernia be massaged back into the abdominal cavity?

Umbilical hernias can be massaged back into the abdominal cavity, but if the hernia suddenly becomes hard, or increases in size significantly and cannot be reduced promptly, careful observation is needed to determine if incarceration has occurred. If incarceration persists for too long, it might lead to intestinal necrosis or rupture. Generally, umbilical hernias can self-heal within six months through conservative treatment. If the diameter of the umbilical ring still exceeds 1.5 centimeters after the age of two, it is advised to opt for surgical treatment. For patients over five years old, surgery is recommended under any circumstances. In conservative treatment of umbilical hernias, the most common method involves using an object larger than the umbilical ring, such as a coin or cardboard, wrapped and fixed to the umbilical area, then secured with adhesive tape to prevent movement. Generally, this treatment method is quite effective.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua

Pediatrics

50sec

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How to relieve infant umbilical hernia

Infant umbilical hernia is caused by incomplete development of the abdominal wall at the navel, resulting in a protrusion at the umbilicus. To alleviate this, it is important to prevent the child from crying excessively and avoid gastrointestinal infections. Digestive issues should be treated promptly, as these conditions can increase abdominal pressure and make the protrusion at the umbilicus more pronounced. Other than these precautions, special treatment is generally not required. Typically, an umbilical hernia will narrow and may even close naturally as the child ages. About 80% of children see improvement by the age of two without needing treatment. However, if the hernia has not closed by two years of age, or if the diameter of the hernia ring is greater than 2 centimeters, surgery may be required to resolve it.