Inflammation of the child’s navel

Definition

The navel is created after birth by cutting the umbilical cord. The remains of the umbilical cord dry out and form the navel, which looks a little different in every person. Inflammation of the navel is known in medical terminology as omphalitis and usually occurs a few days after birth.

In most cases, it is an infection caused by bacteria that are transmitted to the child during or after birth. Especially in developing countries, navel inflammation is a dangerous disease and is the reason for many deaths of newborns. In the industrialized countries it occurs much less frequently and can be treated successfully in most cases.

Causes

The cause of an inflammation of the child’s navel is in most cases a bacterial infection. During or after birth, bacteria enter the umbilical region and cause an inflammation of the navel and possibly also of the surrounding tissue. This is mainly the case with newborns, as their immune system is not yet fully developed and the body’s own defence system cannot defend itself sufficiently against the bacteria.

Newborns who have a very low birth weight or premature babies have an increased risk of developing an inflammation of the navel. The risk is also increased if the umbilical cord is punctured. You can find more information about this here as well

Symptoms

The symptoms of a child’s navel inflammation can appear a few days to weeks after the infection. The navel itself and the skin around the navel often show redness and swelling. A purulent secretion can emerge from the navel, which can smell very strong.

In some cases, blood can also leak from the navel. Surrounding muscle tissue or other soft tissue can also be affected by an inflammation of the navel. A particularly feared condition is the so-called necrotizing fasciitis, in which many layers of the skin and also the underlying tissue are infected by bacteria and can die as a result.

If the pathogens causing the navel inflammation are carried into the blood in any way, this can lead to blood poisoning (sepsis). This becomes noticeable by fever and other general signs of illness. In most cases reddening occurs during an inflammation.

Especially the navel itself and the region around the navel are affected. This is often accompanied by swelling and painful pressure. If pus emerges from the navel, this is a relatively sure sign of an existing inflammation of the navel. In addition to or instead of the pus, blood can also come out of the navel. In conjunction with redness and swelling of the navel and surrounding area, pus is one of the typical symptoms of an inflammation of the navel.