What are umbilical hernias?

Also known as: belly button hernia.

A hernia is a common abnormal bulge that is seen or felt when a organ or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot or hole in muscle or connective tissue. When it occurs in the area of the belly button (umbilicus) it’s called an umbilical hernia, and it’s the intestines that push through the umbilical opening. In babies, umbilical hernias are present at birth and become more noticeable when the baby is crying, coughing or straining to pass a stool. Boys and girls are equally affected.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM