How does a paraumbilical hernia affect the body?

A paraumbilical hernia is a common abdominal wall hernia that rarely affects the body in severe ways. A paraumbilical hernia that develops before a child is six-months old often heals on its own within the first year or two of the child's life. However, paraumbilical hernias that develop later in life can be painful. In rare cases, when part of the intestine protrudes through abdomen wall it may become trapped (incarcerated) or pinched and cut off from the blood supply (strangulated). It is important to have a doctor treat a paraumbilical hernia that develops later in life or one that does not heal on its own by a child's fourth birthday.