Research Paper On Omphalocele
What is an omphalocele?
By Jonas Wilson, Ing. Med.
Omphalocele, which is also referred to as exomphalos, is a rare congenital defect of the abdominal wall. The defect manifests as a protrusion of the infant’s bowels, liver and various abdominal organs through an opening in the muscles near the umbilical cord. As a result, these babies tend to have a belly button that sticks out.
Omphalocele is estimated to occur in approximately 1 in every 4000 – 7000 births and more than 6 out of every 10 of these babies will present with anomalies of other organs or systems in the body. The most commonly associated abnormalities are seen in the urinary and digestive system, as well as in the heart, spine and limbs.
Causes
The cause of omphalocele …show more content…
It is usually detected during the second trimester of a pregnancy or afterwards with the help of ultrasound. If a baby is found to have omphalocele, then a fetal echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart, is also frequently done to ascertain if there are cardiac abnormalities as well. Furthermore, x-rays may also be ordered to check for anomalies in other organs and systems.
Treatment varies depending on the severity of the omphalocele, the age, overall health and medication tolerance of the infant and the treatment preferences of the parents. Quick surgical repair is the option taken for a small omphalocele in order to place the protruded abdominal organs back into their physiological positions. The defect in the abdominal wall is also closed during this procedure to prevent recurrence, tissue damage and infection. A large omphalocele with multiple organ involvement requires complex surgery, which is done in stages, because the infant’s abdomen may be too petit to have all the organs …show more content…
Follow-up care is required by a pediatrician and pediatric surgeon. Infants who do not have any other associated defects usually have a very good long-term outlook. However, conditions associated with large omphalocele, like smaller than usual lungs, may cause significant health issues in the long-term and thus require very close monitoring.
By Jonas Wilson, Ing. Med.
Omphalocele, which is also referred to as exomphalos, is a rare congenital defect of the abdominal wall. The defect manifests as a protrusion of the infant’s bowels, liver and various abdominal organs through an opening in the muscles near the umbilical cord. As a result, these babies tend to have a belly button that sticks out.
Omphalocele is estimated to occur in approximately 1 in every 4000 – 7000 births and more than 6 out of every 10 of these babies will present with anomalies of other organs or systems in the body. The most commonly associated abnormalities are seen in the urinary and digestive system, as well as in the heart, spine and limbs.
Causes
The cause of omphalocele …show more content…
It is usually detected during the second trimester of a pregnancy or afterwards with the help of ultrasound. If a baby is found to have omphalocele, then a fetal echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart, is also frequently done to ascertain if there are cardiac abnormalities as well. Furthermore, x-rays may also be ordered to check for anomalies in other organs and systems.
Treatment varies depending on the severity of the omphalocele, the age, overall health and medication tolerance of the infant and the treatment preferences of the parents. Quick surgical repair is the option taken for a small omphalocele in order to place the protruded abdominal organs back into their physiological positions. The defect in the abdominal wall is also closed during this procedure to prevent recurrence, tissue damage and infection. A large omphalocele with multiple organ involvement requires complex surgery, which is done in stages, because the infant’s abdomen may be too petit to have all the organs …show more content…
Follow-up care is required by a pediatrician and pediatric surgeon. Infants who do not have any other associated defects usually have a very good long-term outlook. However, conditions associated with large omphalocele, like smaller than usual lungs, may cause significant health issues in the long-term and thus require very close monitoring.