Persistent umbilical discharge in infants and children.

Ann Trop Paediatr

Division of Paediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.

Published: June 2006

Background: Umbilical discharge is not an unusual presentation in infants and children. However, the evaluation and management are rarely discussed.

Method: A retrospective review of 18 patients presenting with persistent umbilical discharge over a period of 22 years, excluding neonates with omphalitis.

Results: The patients' ages ranged between 11 days and 9 years. Presentation was usually discharge of clear, serous or purulent fluid or faecal matter from the umbilicus, sometimes dating back to the neonatal period. Evaluation consisted of bacteriology, fistulogram (one patient) and histopathology. The cause of discharge was patent vitello-intestinal duct in 11 patients, umbilical granuloma in three, umbilical sinus in two and patent urachus and osteomyelitis of the ischium in one each. Definitive treatment was exploration and complete excision of the lesion and antibiotics. Two patients with patent vitello-intestinal duct died, one before surgery from hypokalaemia and sepsis, and the other from anaesthetic complications.

Conclusion: There is a need for early referral and treatment in patients with persistent umbilical discharge. Conservative treatment is usually not successful as the common causes would normally require complete excision.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/146532806X107485DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

umbilical discharge
16
persistent umbilical
12
infants children
8
patent vitello-intestinal
8
vitello-intestinal duct
8
complete excision
8
discharge
6
umbilical
5
discharge infants
4
children background
4

Similar Publications

Umbilical lesions in children represent a wide spectrum of congenital or acquired anomalies. Congenital anomalies are mainly because of failed obliteration of the omphalomesenteric duct while acquired pathologies are either because of delayed umbilical cord separation causing umbilical granuloma or result from umbilical stump infection producing omphalitis with persistent discharge. Meckel's diverticulum is considered the most common gastrointestinal congenital anomaly resulting from obliteration failure of the omphalomesenteric duct while umbilical granuloma is a common acquired umbilical lesion seen in daily practice.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Fistulization involving both the sigmoid colon and urachus is exceedingly rare. While previous cases have often necessitated laparotomy due to the involvement of multiple organs, only one instance of successful laparoscopic surgery has been reported. Here, we present the second documented case of laparoscopic resection of a sigmoid-urachal fistula.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Omphalitis is a bacterial infection of the umbilicus and/or surrounding tissues, occurring primarily in the neonatal period. Whereas it is known to be a major route of localized and often systemic infection, studies describing incidence and risk factors remain scanty, especially in resource limited settings where the condition is thought to be common. We assessed the incidence and risk factors for omphalitis among neonates born to women who received a birth kit containing chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care after birth in Eastern Uganda.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction And Hypothesis: Pudendal nerve release can be managed by the laparoscopic approach for pudendal nerve entrapment.

Methods: This is a case report of a stepwise demonstration of the technique with narrated video footage. A 71-year-old woman, gravid 7, parity 3, abortion 4, live births 3 vaginal delivery, complained of pain while sitting.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Giant omphalocele poses a conflict between eviscerated content and abdominal capacity, with associated risks such as compartment syndrome or cardiovascular compromise.

Clinical Case: We present the case of a prenatally diagnosed hepato-omphalocele, without associated abnormalities. At week 37, botulinum toxin was injected in the right hemiabdomen under fetal and maternal sedation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!