Omphalocele is a condition in which a baby’s abdominal organs develop outside their belly. Babies with an omphalocele may also have other health conditions. Omphalocele surgery repairs the opening and puts the organs back in the abdomen. A large omphalocele may need surgery in several stages.
An omphalocele (uhm-FA-lo-seal) is a congenital (present at birth) abnormality in which a baby’s abdominal organs stick out through an opening at their belly button. A transparent (see-through) membrane made of peritoneum covers these organs.
An omphalocele develops in the uterus, before birth:
More than two-thirds of babies with omphalocele may also have abnormalities of the:
Another name for omphalocele is exomphalos.
An omphalocele may be small or large:
Approximately 1 in every 4,200 babies in the United States is born with an omphalocele.
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Between the sixth and the 10th weeks of pregnancy, the intestines bulge into the umbilical cord as they’re growing. This is normal. By the 11th week of development, the intestines should return to the abdomen. If this doesn’t happen, an omphalocele occurs.
Experts don’t know why some babies develop omphalocele and others don’t, or whether you can do anything during pregnancy to prevent it.
Researchers are studying risk factors for omphalocele. These factors may affect your risk of having a baby with an omphalocele:
Babies born with an omphalocele frequently have other complications, including:
Healthcare providers usually spot an omphalocele during pregnancy. They’ll discuss the condition with you, including the treatment your baby will need after birth. Right after delivery, the care team takes steps to protect and treat your baby.
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Healthcare providers typically diagnose an omphalocele during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy using a prenatal ultrasound. They can see the organs developing outside the fetus’s abdominal wall. Once discovered, your provider will likely order a fetal echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to check for heart abnormalities before birth.
Sometimes, providers can’t detect omphalocele during pregnancy. If that happens, the issue will be evident soon after birth. Your care team will take immediate steps to protect your baby’s health.
If your provider diagnoses a developing fetus, you might have more tests for the rest of your pregnancy. These tests may include:
After your baby is born, your healthcare provider will examine the omphalocele and order further tests if necessary.
Omphalocele treatment depends on many things, including:
For a small omphalocele, surgeons do an operation soon after birth. This surgery puts the organs back into your baby’s belly and closes the hole in their abdominal wall to avoid infection or tissue damage.
If your baby has a large omphalocele with many organs involved, surgeons usually do the operation in stages. They gradually move the organs back into your baby’s belly over days or weeks. The care team covers the organs with a sterile sheet to prevent infection.
Surgeons use this staged approach for a giant omphalocele because it’s the safest way. The baby’s abdomen is too small and not developed enough to hold all the organs at once. The organs also won’t get the blood flow they need in a small space. Waiting allows the abdomen to grow. In most cases, your baby will have a second surgery within two weeks to re-establish normal anatomy.
The surgeon may need to stretch the abdominal skin to cover the opening. In some cases, your baby might need a skin flap to cover the area. A skin flap is when surgeons move tissue from one part of the body to another part.
Babies with omphalocele who have underdeveloped abdominal cavities often have breathing difficulties and may need the help of a ventilator until they can breathe on their own.
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Once your baby is ready to go home, they’re usually eating normally. If they have other complications, like heart or lung problems, they may need a feeding tube. Most babies don’t need this help, though.
Your baby can do appropriate activities for their age and developmental stage.
Researchers are studying ways to stop omphalocele from happening. It’s not clear if there are any actions you can take during pregnancy to prevent it.
In general, you can try the following to reduce the chance of complications for your pregnancy and newborn:
The outlook depends on the size of the omphalocele. It also depends on whether the baby has other health conditions.
If the omphalocele is the only health issue, your baby will likely make a full recovery. Omphaloceles often come with other birth defects, though. These conditions may continue to affect your baby’s health or result in complications later in life. Your healthcare provider will discuss the prognosis with you in detail.
The overall survival rate for babies born with omphalocele is 95%. But several factors determine these statistics, including whether the baby has additional health conditions and which body systems these conditions affect.
Your healthcare provider is here for you. They’re the best person to help you understand your situation.
It’s best to have your baby in a hospital with the specialists and equipment needed to provide care right away. Your provider will discuss your delivery options with you. You might need a cesarean section (C-section), especially if your baby has a giant omphalocele.
Call your provider after surgery if you notice:
In rare instances, very tiny omphaloceles may close on their own. But in most cases, babies with this condition need surgery.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Hearing that your baby has a congenital condition like an omphalocele can feel terrifying — and the uncertainty you feel can add to the stress of your pregnancy. Your healthcare team is here for you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and lean on them for support. They’ll tell you what to expect during delivery and outline the care plan for your little one afterward.
Last reviewed on 07/11/2024.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy