The hernia is noticed as a soft swelling beneath the skin that often protrudes with crying or straining. Depending on the severity, the area varies in size from 1 to 5 centimeters in diameter. Small hernias usually close without treatment by age 1 or 2. Umbilical hernias are usually painless.
Umbilical hernias occur slightly more frequently in infants of African American descent.
Usually, no treatment is required unless the defect persists past the age of 2 years. Most umbilical hernias resolve without treatment by 2 years of age. Those that persist, are usually successfully treated by surgery.