Omphalocele
Omphalocele
Omphalocele (pronounced: om-fa-lo-seel) is a rare birth defect that occurs when an infant's abdomen does not develop fully while in the mother's womb. The infant's intestines, liver, or other organs stick outside of the belly through the belly button. The organs are covered in a thin, nearly transparent sac that hardly ever is broken or open.
Etymology
The term "Omphalocele" is derived from the Greek words "omphalos" meaning "navel" and "kele" meaning "hernia". It was first used in medical literature by Swiss surgeon, Prof. Andrea Vesalius, in the 16th century.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of an Omphalocele is the presence of an abdominal wall defect at the base of the umbilical cord. Other symptoms may include growth retardation, cardiac defects, and chromosomal abnormalities.
Causes
The exact cause of Omphalocele is unknown. However, it is believed to be caused by a disruption in the normal development of the abdominal wall during the formation of the fetus.
Treatment
Treatment for Omphalocele usually involves surgery to place the abdominal organs back into the body and repair the abdominal wall. If the Omphalocele is large, the repair might be done in stages. The survival rate for infants with Omphalocele largely depends on what other birth defects the infant has.
Related Terms
- Gastroschisis: A similar condition where the baby's intestines stick out of the body from a defect on one side of the umbilical cord.
- Hernia: A general term for a condition where an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place.
- Congenital Abnormality: A term for conditions that are present at birth.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Omphalocele
- Wikipedia's article - Omphalocele
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