Umbilical hernia in infants is caused by congenital developmental abnormalities, mainly because the umbilical ring does not close after birth and a hollow is formed. Some patients may heal within two years of age, but if they fail to do so, surgery is usually recommended before the child starts kindergarten. Unlike inguinal hernia, some umbilical hernias heal slowly with bandaging. The most serious result of an umbilical hernia is an intussusception, where the intestine gets stuck in the hernia sac causing pain and crying in the baby, which can lead to intestinal necrosis over time.