Other Umbilical Conditions
UMBILICAL GRANULOMA
After the umbilical cord falls off, some babies have a pink, moist lump that can rapidly grow and cause mild bleeding and oozing. This is usually easy to treat in the clinic with silver nitrate. It is rare to need an operation.
UMBILICAL POLYP
Some children may have a skin covered lump in their bellybutton, that is firm and stuck to the skin. It feels and looks very different to a hernia. This can slowly grow, but doesn’t usually cause any other symptoms. If it is on a long skinny stalk, it can be treated in the clinic, but some patient will need a short anaesthetic and small operation to remove it.
OMPHALOMESENTERIC DUCT REMNANT/PATENT URACHUS
This is a rare condition where the intestines, or the bladder are abnormally joined to the bellybutton. You may notice feces or urine coming out of the belly button. If you see this, it is not a life threatening emergency, but you should arrange to see Dr Rob as soon as possible, as this requires an urgent operation to remove the abnormal connection between the internal organs and the skin.
DR ROB McCUSKER
Gold Coast Children’s Surgeon
Dr Rob is dedicated to the highest quality of care and technical excellence for his patients.