Omphalocele

An omphalocele is a birth defect that is easily seen at delivery. It occurs when the intestines or organs within the abdominal cavity stick out from the belly button onto the outside of the body. Cases can range from mild to severe. A baby that is born with a severe case may have the liver, spleen or other organ(s) protruding at the same time. A thin layer of tissue covers the protrusion. During fetal development, the muscles within the fetus’ abdomen do not close as they should and the intestines stay on the outside of the umbilical cord, causing the hernia. A prenatal ultrasound is capable of diagnosing the condition during fetal development. If not diagnosed prenatally, a doctor can easily diagnose after birth through a brief physical examination. Surgery is the only way to correct the deformity. If the omphalocele is able to be placed back into the abdomen, it will be covered with a special material and the protrusion will eventually fall back into place. However, some omphaloceles are too large and are not able to be placed back into the abdomen. In this situation, the skin around it will have to grow large enough to cover the omphalocele. Special care should be taken to avoid an infection in the intestines or abdomen.



Comments: Omphalocele

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anxious88 - 133 days ago.
i just turned 27 weeks and my babys liver is on the outside of her little body. my water broke a week ago so im stuck in the hospital for 2 months to make sure my baby has a chance of survival ...as long as she doesnt try leaving my tummy early...im on complete bed rest...im so scared but i have to have faith so my baby stays strong!

Angelnkc - 148 days ago.
From what I have been told I was one of the first babies born this way to survive. I was born in 1966 with all of my insides on the outside of my body except my heart, lungs and diaphram. I had my first surgery at almost 3 days old. In 1969, at the age of 3, it was found that my stomach muscles had not developed and my abdomin swelled to the size of a basketball. They inserted a nylon mesh which forced the musceles to interweave and form. I never had a belly button. My mother was told that I would probably never be able to have children. I am now 42. I have a grown son. Technology has come so far since I was born. I am happy to have been part of the medical history that found a way for babies born with this defect to go on to live happy, full lives. Never give up hope.

alanaontheway - 291 days ago.
My baby was diagnosed with an omphaloce when I was 14 weeks pregnant. We had an amnio and everything came back normal. I am now 28 weeks and growing very anxious as I also have a son who was born prematurely at exactly 28 weeks and I am high risk for another premature birth. Has anyone out there had a child born with omphalocele come early and how did it effect their recovery???

angmich - 358 days ago.
with my last pregnancy i was late getting my u/s. so at about 21 weeks i found out my baby had what they thought was an omphalocele. we ended up seeing a high risk specialist and it turned out it was much more than an omphalocele. my baby had no abdominal wall. all his insides were on the outside, he had a very short umbilical cord, he had a clubbed foot and were were told he was not compatibile with life. :( we lost our little boy at 22 1/2 weeks. the good news about having just an omphalocele is that it is fixable! my little cousin was born with one and is a beautiful young 11 year old little girl now:)

c4ff13 - 417 days ago.
i am 43 and this is a totally unexpected pregnancy. it took me weeks to come to terms with the fact i was pregnant. at the 12 week scan we were told that the baby had 'something wrong with its tummy', a week later at a nuchal translucency scan it was confirmed that baby has an ompalocele. this news devestated us esp knowing my age is against me, and ompalocele is associated with chromosonal abnormalities. we go back to the hosp on tues 23rd to see the cons and to have an amnio. a very fretful time, full of tears, worries and fears. My thoughts are with anyone who is in this situation, waiting for news about something so prescious is indescribable.

mum4eva - 421 days ago.
Hi, i do not have a child with an omphalocele, but i have 2 friends who do. Both children are doing fine. It was very scary for them, both had very different experiences, one was only in the hopital for a month after birth, but the other was about 8 mths. Little babies are so amazing at what they can cope with and with the right medical care, you are quite likely going to have a positive outcome. I do have a child with a chromosonal disorder and she is just wonderful. All the best i hope that you can get some answers and a plan for what you need to do to get your little one through this. Please keep us updated.

nicstyler - 422 days ago.
I had my 19 week appointment yesterday. The doctor found an omphalocele with the bowel and liver out. They did an amniocentesis today and tomorrow we meet with a perinatalogist. I've never been so scared in my life. If anybody can leave us a message if their baby had this, please contact us. Thank you!

peasquack - 468 days ago.
Well I had my appt. The high risk DR said the baby has an OMPHALOCELE its like a large hernia with intestines and other organs protruding and will have to be corrected with surgery when the baby is born. The DR said it can come with chomosomal defects too. They did an amniocentesis and we will know that for sure in 10 days. PLEASE PRAY for us.