Umbilical hernia

A condition in which the intestine protrudes through the abdominal muscles.

Overview

Umbilical hernias are a common and usually harmless condition in infants. They can also affect adults.

Symptoms

A common sign of an umbilical hernia is a protruding bellybutton, which in infants may be most noticeable when they cry.

Treatments

Many hernias close on their own by age 1. To prevent complications, umbilical hernias that don't disappear by age 4 or those that appear during adulthood can be surgically repaired.