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Other problems that are frequently encountered in babies' navels are as follows;

1. Umbilical bleeding

There is an artery and two veins in the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is held with a special device near the navel immediately after birth and cut above it. When the navel falls off, these vessels must be blocked by the clot that has formed in them. If clotting is not sufficient, bleeding occurs in the form of leakage from the navel. One of the factors that ensures blood clotting is vitamin K. This vitamin, which is made in the liver, may not be sufficient in newborn babies, more noticeably in premature babies. For this reason, every baby is given a vitamin K injection. However, despite this, bleeding may still occur in the form of leakage in some babies. Bleeding usually stops on its own within the first 48 hours. In cases of persistent bleeding, the open ends of the veins are cauterized by the pediatric surgeon with a chemical pen called silver nitrate. If bleeding continues, it can be stopped by stitching.

2. Umbilical granuloma

After the umbilical cord falls off, it is a bright red, lumpy, tiny cauliflower-like remnant that can be up to 1 cm in size and is detected within the sunken umbilical ring. It causes a yellow discharge that gets on the baby's underwear. It is natural to have discharge in the first few days after the umbilical cord falls off. If it does not go away on its own, it is sufficient to apply silver nitrate to the umbilical cord remnant. Sometimes this application needs to be repeated several times. If it does not go away, it needs to be tied or removed from the base. The tied tissue falls off on its own within 2-3 days. A black area may form around the umbilical cord after the silver nitrate application. This condition returns to normal within a few weeks. If there is no response to this treatment, umbilical remnants, polyps or umbilical sinus should be considered.

 

3. Umbilical polyp

A umbilical polyp is a shiny, light red tissue that extends from the navel. There is no discharge or bleeding. It does not disappear on its own, so it must either be tied off as in a granuloma or removed with a minor surgical procedure. Applying silver nitrate to the polyp will not help.

 

 

4. Umbilical cord infection/inflammation (omphalitis)

Nowadays, it is rarely seen because most births are made in hospitals. Umbilical cord infection in babies can be mild or severe. In mild infections, a yellow-green discharge from the navel and a slight redness around the navel are seen. It can be treated by cleaning the navel with antiseptic liquids, applying antibiotic ointment locally and (although not necessary in every patient) administering antibiotics orally. In severe infections, the redness around the navel is noticeable. From here, the infection can be carried into the abdomen and into the blood through the veins in the navel that have not yet completely closed (sepsis). The widespread redness around the navel can darken over time (fascia may be affected) and the baby will react by crying when the abdomen is touched. These babies must be treated in hospital conditions and with antibiotics to be administered intravenously.

 

5. Foreign Body:

One of the causes of umbilical discharge, especially in newborns and young children, is a foreign body. It occurs when small pieces that break off while cleaning the umbilical cord with tissue or cotton accumulate in the umbilical cord. The diagnosis is made with a good history and physical examination, sometimes an ultrasound may be required for differential diagnosis. The treatment is to thoroughly clean the umbilical cord.

!!! In addition, umbilical hernia, urachus, omphalomesenteric duct residues are explained separately under their own headings.

*** The information provided here, the content of the website, is arranged for the purpose of informing visitors, especially families. No information should be considered as advice by visitors and should lead to any decision or action. The patient should definitely have a pediatric surgeon examine the subject, consult with him and make a decision by consulting his/her personal knowledge.