What will happen if an umbilical hernia is not treated?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on March 13, 2025
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If umbilical hernia is not treated, in general, adults are more likely to experience incarceration or strangulation. For children with umbilical hernias, conservative observation is usually adopted, and surgery is not necessary within the first two years unless incarceration occurs. During the waiting period, adhesive tape fixation can be used as a treatment method. If the umbilical hernia is larger than two weeks, and the diameter of the umbilical ring is generally more than 1.5 cm, surgical treatment is required. For children over five years old, regardless of the situation, it is advisable to undergo timely surgery. Adults with umbilical hernias are generally advised to have surgery as soon as possible. The surgical methods typically include traditional tissue repair or open tension-free hernia repair. For patients suitable for laparoscopic treatment, laparoscopic surgery is chosen as it causes less trauma and allows for the preservation of the umbilicus without extensive dissection, no need for drainage placement, and a very low chance of wound infection.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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How long does it take for an infant umbilical hernia to heal?

Infant umbilical hernia is caused by congenital weakness of the umbilical and abdominal regions, resulting in protrusion of the navel. Generally, it does not require special treatment. This is because up to 80% of infant umbilical hernias will gradually decrease in size as the child ages and physically develops, and the hernial ring may even close, thereby healing naturally. Surgery is usually chosen only if the diameter of the hernia ring is too large, especially if it is more than 2 cm, or if the child is over two years old and still has a noticeable umbilical hernia. Before this, it is usually advisable to avoid situations that could increase abdominal pressure in the child, such as preventing prolonged and intense crying. If the child has gastrointestinal symptoms, they should be treated promptly and actively to prevent repeated protrusion of the umbilical hernia.

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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.

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Written by Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
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Why does the baby's umbilical hernia make a sound when pressed?

When pressing on a baby's umbilical hernia, a sound may be heard, primarily because the contents of the hernia are the intestines, most commonly the small intestine. Digestive fluids and gases are present in the intestines, so when pressed, the movement of gas through the digestive fluid can easily produce a sound, which is normal. The occurrence of an umbilical hernia in babies is mainly due to the incomplete development of the abdominal wall muscles and the umbilical ring not being fully closed. This allows internal organs like the intestines and mesentery to protrude through the umbilical ring, leading to symptoms of an umbilical hernia. After the appearance of an umbilical hernia, most children's hernias close on their own within the first year, with only a minority requiring surgical treatment.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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What are good remedies for infant umbilical hernia?

Umbilical hernia in infants is caused by congenital underdevelopment of the abdominal muscles, forming a bulge beneath the skin due to abdominal distension protruding from the umbilicus. In fact, it usually does not require special treatment. Most umbilical hernias will gradually narrow and shrink within the first year after birth as the infant's nutrition and physique improve and the abdominal muscles develop, typically leading to natural closure with a very good prognosis. In daily care, it is important to prevent the child from crying loudly, especially when the child has gastrointestinal diseases and increased intestinal gas, which should be actively treated to minimize the herniation and to reduce it back when it does protrude. With such care, the chances of natural healing increase. However, if the child is over four years old and the hernia sac is still relatively large, surgical repair might be necessary.