Content
The omphalocele corresponds to a malformation of the abdominal wall in the baby, which is usually identified even during pregnancy and which is characterized by the presence of organs, such as the intestine, liver or spleen, outside the abdominal cavity and covered by a thin membrane.
This congenital disease is usually identified between the 8th and 12th week of pregnancy by means of image exams performed by the obstetrician during prenatal care, but it can also be seen only after birth.
The early diagnosis of this problem is very important to prepare the medical team for delivery, as it is likely that the baby will need to undergo surgery right after birth to place the organ in the correct place, avoiding serious complications.
Main causes
The causes of omphalocele are not yet well established, however it is possible that it happens due to a genetic alteration.
Factors related to the environment of the pregnant woman, which may include contact with toxic substances, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, the use of cigarettes or the intake of medications without the doctor's guidance, also seem to increase the risk of the baby being born with omphalocele.
How is the diagnosis
The omphalocele can still be diagnosed during pregnancy, especially between the 8th and 12th pregnancies, through ultrasound examination. After birth, the omphalocele can be perceived through a physical examination performed by the doctor, in which the presence of organs outside the abdominal cavity is observed.
After assessing the extent of the omphalocele, the doctor determines which treatment is best, and in most cases surgery is performed soon after birth. When the omphalocele is very extensive, the doctor may advise you to perform the surgery in stages.
In addition, the doctor may perform other tests, such as echocardiography, X-rays and blood tests, for example, to check for the occurrence of other diseases, such as genetic changes, diaphragmatic hernia and heart defects, for example, which tend to be more common in babies with other malformations.
How the treatment is done
Treatment is done through surgery, which can be done soon after birth or after a few weeks or months according to the extent of the omphalocele, other health conditions that the baby may have and the doctor's prognosis. It is important that treatment is done as soon as possible to avoid possible complications, such as the death of intestinal tissue and infection.
Thus, when it comes to a smaller omphalocele, that is, when only a portion of the intestine is outside the abdominal cavity, the surgery is performed shortly after birth and aims to place the organ in the correct place and then close the abdominal cavity. . In the case of a larger omphalocele, that is, when in addition to the intestine, other organs, such as the liver or spleen, are outside the abdominal cavity, the surgery can be done in stages so as not to harm the baby's development.
In addition to surgical removal, the doctor may recommend that an antibiotic ointment be applied, carefully, to the pouch that lines the exposed organs, in order to decrease the risk of infections, especially when the surgery is not done soon after birth or when it is made by stakes.