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Conditions We Treat: Umbilical Hernia
An umbilical hernia occurs at the umbilicus (belly button) when a loop of intestine pushes through the umbilical ring, a small opening in a fetus’ abdominal muscles through which the umbilical cord passes.
Umbilical Hernia: What You Need to Know

- Twenty percent of babies are born with umbilical hernias. The majority of these hernias will naturally close by the time the child reaches age 5.
- In some cases, the protruding intestine becomes “strangulated” in the abdominal wall, resulting in a loss of blood supply to the intestinal tissue. This is a medical emergency, and your physician will likely advise you to go the emergency room.
- While umbilical hernias are most often found in newborns, this condition can occur at any age. In adults, umbilical hernias will not close on their own, leaving surgery as the only option to repair a painful or strangulated hernia.
Patient Resources
Why choose Johns Hopkins for umbilical hernias?
Our Physicians
Rely on the expertise of our surgeons to diagnose and repair umbilical hernias.
Our Patient Education

Dr. Hien Nguyen, director of the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Hernia Center, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about common hernias.