Exams and Tests

A doctor usually diagnoses an umbilical hernia during a physical examination. During the exam, your doctor will pay close attention to:

• The size, shape, and appearance of your child's abdomen, particularly the area around the navel (umbilicus).
• Whether the hernia can be pushed back (reduced) into the abdomen. With most umbilical hernias, this can be done easily without causing pain.
• The size of the open umbilical ring.

Your child should be warm, relaxed, and comfortable during the exam. Your doctor may want to evaluate the hernia in various positions and will have you help your child stand, sit, or lie down.

Follow-up appointments are important to help your doctor monitor whether the hernia is closing on its own.