What is left is a small circular defect in the abdominal wall that can allow fluid and possibly a small area of the intestines to come through giving the belly button a protrusion. It is estimated that between 10 and 30 percent of children are born with this hernia. However, most babies with this outey belly button no longer have it by the time they are one year of age. This is primarily due to the fact that the abdominal muscles continue to grow and come together over the early years of childhood. The doctor determines the size of the hernia by sticking a finger down into the belly button and feeling the edges of it.
Problems associated with umbilical hernias are quite uncommon.
Very rarely does a child have an episode in which the intestines cannot be pushed back through, but when it occurs, it is an emergency. Because most umbilical hernias close by themselves by age four, surgically repairing them is usually deferred at least until then. In fact, there are reports of these hernias closing as late as age ten years. On the other hand, those that are greater than an inch in diameter are much less likely to completely close, so many surgeons will often recommend having these surgically closed earlier rather than later. Your daughter is still quite young, and if she has a relatively small hernia, the likelihood of it closing over the next couple of years is pretty good.