Duration
Depending on the pathogen and the severity of the navel inflammation, the length of treatment also varies. In the case of common pathogens and moderately severe purulent inflammation, the symptoms should improve after about 5-7 days if the treatment is correct and sufficient. If this is not the case, the treatment strategy must be reconsidered.
If not already done, an antibiotic preparation should be used. If this does not have a sufficient effect, a skin smear should be taken to identify the causative pathogen and determine an effective antibiotic treatment. It is important to note that a long-lasting inflammation of the navel always carries the risk of spreading.
This can lead to spreading into the abdominal cavity or to fistula formation. This complication is dangerous and would then have to be treated surgically. Any prolonged inflammation of the abdomen should be presented to a doctor.
Forecast
Normally, the prognosis of a belly button inflammation in the baby is good. If there are risk factors such as premature birth or malformations, the prognosis is worsened because there is a higher risk of systemic spread of the infection. Early treatment of the baby’s navel inflammation leads to a good prognosis and fewer complications.
Prophylaxis
The most important prophylactic measures for the prevention of navel inflammation in babies are hygienic measures. This includes above all navel care. In addition, the hand hygiene of people in contact with the baby also serves as a prophylaxis to protect the baby from a belly button infection.
Many germs are transmitted by simple hand contact. Therefore, before any contact with the navel region, one should first wash one’s hands well. Navel care primarily includes cleaning.
Here the navel should be cleaned gently with water and mild soap. After cleaning, the navel should then be dried well and also kept dry. Permanent contact with urine and faeces leads to irritation of the skin and thus poses a risk of navel inflammation in babies. In the first period after birth, the umbilical stump can be padded a little with a compress, for example, to protect it from excessive rubbing of the nappy. In addition, the diaper can be turned over so that it does not protrude over the navel.
Postnatal navel inflammation
In the period after birth, the risk of developing an inflammation of the baby’s navel is increased. During this period, the open umbilical stump poses a risk of infection and spreading in the body. It is therefore important to pay attention to an incipient inflammation during this period and to prevent it by taking certain measures.
One possibility is to change the diaper so that it does not touch or cover the navel region. Excessive rubbing can be prevented by this measure. Scrubbing of the diaper can also be reduced by applying a compress between the diaper and the umbilical stump.
