Conditions We Treat: Umbilical Hernia

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

Learn more about umbilical hernias in our Health Library.

Learn when a hernia requires emergency surgery.

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.

Common Hernia Diagnosis and Treatment

Women and Hernias

Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery