Anomalies and diseases

The cutaneous umbilicus and the prosboscis navel

In some babies, after the umbilical cord falls, there may be a 1 to 3 cm piece of skin hanging from the navel. Most of these cases, this skin will gradually reduce and enter the navel scar, thus solving the problem. In other cases, it can look like a kind of trunk (prosboscis) that does not go away over time and may require surgical treatment.

Navel infection: omphalitis

Due to the strict hygiene measures that are carried out in the umbilical cord from the first day of life, currently, the infection of the navel, is a cunusual complication in the newborn. Omphalitis is the infection of the navel area and is a potentially serious situation in the newborn. We will suspect that there is an infection because the navel is red and a bloody and smelly liquid comes out. Sometimes the skin around the belly button can be red and hard.

In the mildest cases, it may be sufficient to take extreme measures of cleaning and disinfecting the navel and applying an antibiotic ointment. Severe cases are accompanied by fever and weakness of the newborn and require admission to a hospital and antibiotic treatment through the vein.

Umbilical granuloma

In some cases, after the umbilical cord has fallen, a lump may appear (0.5 to 1 cm in diameter) reddish and shiny in the area of ​​the scar. It is a consequence of a defective healing. Instead of skin, a tissue called granulation is formed. This fabric is what gives the bright pink look. It is not serious and the treatment will be carried out by the pediatrician applying silver nitrate with a stick to stimulate the healing of the navel. After performing the treatment, the navel must be cured with 70º alcohol for another week.

Umbilical polyp

When the cord falls, a small, bright, red lump may persist and a mucous or bloody fluid may escape from it. It can be confused with umbilical granuloma and treated with silver nitrate; It is suspected that it is a polyp because, despite treatment, it reappears again. The umbilical polyp It is a persistence of the omphalomesenteric duct (a structure that communicates with the bladder and intestine in the fetus and closes at birth under normal conditions). Treatment is surgical to prevent possible future complications and avoid infection.

Umbilical hernia

Sometimes the abdominal wall is not properly closed and a portion of the intestine can come out at the level of the navel. This is what is called an umbilical hernia. It is a very common problem in childhood (one in six newborns suffer from it) and it is more common in children and premature infants. It is suspected when we see a soft lump that protrudes in the navel area and that increases in size with crying and coughing. They don't give too many problems and most umbilical hernias close on their own before five years of life. Large hernias larger than 2.5 cm in diameter are more difficult to close on their own. Girdles or other types of bandages should not be used to compress the hernia as they are not effective and would only cause discomfort to the baby.

They will need surgery:

• Large hernias (greater than 2.5 cm in diameter) that have not closed within three years
• Hernias that have not closed by five years of life (even small ones)

Omphalocele

An omphalocele is the exit from part of the intestine and sometimes also from part of the liver, through the navel area. Is a congenital problem (from birth) that is detected in the examination of the newborn in the delivery room. Unlike the umbilical hernia, it is larger and is not covered with skin but with peritoneum (it is the membrane that covers the intestine and the rest of the organs of the abdominal cavity). Needs to urgent surgical treatment so that the internal organs do not suffer any damage.

Gastroschisis

It is the exit, through the abdomen, of the abdominal content (intestine, liver) without any type of covering, skin or peritoneum. Is a serious situation and requires urgent surgical intervention.