Hernia

Abdominal hernias include umbilical hernias, hernias through the scar left by a previous surgical incision, and hernias through the muscles of the abdominal wall. All of these types of hernias involve abdominal contents (often a loop of intestine) which pop through a weakened area. Some umbilical hernias are present at birth, particularly in premature infants, and are due to incomplete closure of an area called the umbilical ring, which should close before birth. Most of these umbilical hernias do not require surgery, because the ring usually decreases in size and then closes on its own within the first two to four years of life.