Umbilical Hernia Surgery

What is an Umbilical Hernia?

An umbilical hernia happens when the "belly button" or umbilicus sticks out from the abdomen. The hernia may grow and stick out more or begin to disappear as the child grows.

Ordinarily, the umbilical ring (muscle around the belly button) gradually closes after birth as the child matures and begins to walk. If the umbilical ring does not close completely, the intestines protrude into the umbilicus causing the hernia.

The hernia may be 1/2 inch or up to 2 inches in size. Umbilical hernias in infants usually close on their own by the age of 2 and the hernia can often be pushed in with a finger. This should be done by your child's doctor during a physical exam. If the umbilical hernia becomes hard or reddened and there is pain and tenderness, you should contact your child's doctor immediately. They may recommend surgery or additional treatment methods.

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Why Choose Comer Children's for Umbilical Hernia Surgery?

Our pediatric surgeons are experts at performing umbilical hernia repair in babies. These procedures are done in a safe environment and our pediatric surgical care team work with you to make the experience as comfortable as possible, for you and your baby. We are here to support you before, during and after the surgery.

Causes of Umbilical Hernias

Umbilical hernia is a common problem, with about one of every six infants having the condition. Babies born with low birth weight (less than three pounds) are more likely to have one, and African-American children are nine times more likely than Caucasian children to have umbilical hernias. It occurs equally among boys and girls.

Image of a child recovering post umbilical hernia surgery

Frequently Asked Questions about Umbilical Hernia Surgery

How are umbilical hernias treated?

Umbilical hernias most often close all by themselves — usually by the time a child is 4 or 5 years old. Children with very large umbilical hernias will likely need surgical repair.

When a hernia is very large, many surgeons will fix it when the child is 1 to 2 years old. Otherwise, waiting to see if the hernia closes on its own is often the best course of action. If the hernia doesn't close as the child grows and develops stomach muscle, it will then be repaired with surgery.

What do I need to know about the umbilical hernia surgery process?

What are the symptoms of umbilical hernias?

How are umbilical hernias diagnosed?

Umbilical hernias are usually diagnosed during regular physical exams by your baby's pediatrician. Your child's doctor should be able to determine the severity of the condition and may even be able to push the bulge back into the abdomen during the appointment.

Imaging tests, like an ultrasound, are rarely done for umbilical hernias, but may be advised if it's necessary to check for further risks or complications. If the umbilical hernia looks to be serious, immediate umbilical hernia repair may be recommended.

What questions should I ask the surgeon?

It’s natural for parents and loved ones to want to know as much as possible leading up to a pediatric surgery. Below are some common questions that may help kids and their family feel more comfortable prior to their procedure date.

How will this surgery help my child?
Why is it the best option moving forward?
Are there any risks associated with this procedure? What are the benefits of this procedure?
What medications will be used throughout the process?
Who will be a part of my child’s surgical care team?
How can we best prepare for the surgery? What do we need to know about the recovery process?
How long will the hospital stay be?
Is there anything my child should or shouldn’t eat before and after surgery?

Meet Our Pediatric General Surgery Team

Under the expert clinical leadership of Grace Mak, MD, our team provides the highest level of pediatric surgical care for children of all ages.

Edward Barksdale, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Marion Henry, MD, MPH

Pediatric Surgery

Brian Jones, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Jessica J. Kandel, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Charlotte Kvasnovsky, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Thomas K. Lee, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Request a Pediatric Surgery Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 773-702-6169 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer or transfer a patient, call 877-UC-KID-MD (877-825-4363).

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