Omphalocele Awareness Day Date in the current year: January 31, 2025

An omphalocele, also known as an exomphalus, is a condition in which a baby is born with some of their abdominal organs, such as the intestines or liver, protruding through a hole in the navel area in a thin protective sac. It occurs when the abdominal wall doesn’t develop properly during pregnancy.

During embryonic development, it is normal for the intestines to protrude into the umbilical cord between the sixth and tenth weeks of pregnancy. By the eleventh or twelfth week, they normally return to the abdomen of the fetus. If they don’t, an omphalocele occurs. The exact causes of omphalocele are unknown, but some cases have been linked to underlying genetic disorders. Older maternal age is associated with a higher risk of omphalocele.

Omphaloceles can be small, large, or giant, depending on the organs they contain. Small omphaloceles contain only the intestines, while large and giant omphaloceles can contain parts of the liver, stomach, and other abdominal organs. About 15-30% of babies with an omphalocele have genetic abnormalities, and about 30-50% of babies with an omphalocele have congenital abnormalities that affect other organs or parts of the body (spine, heart, digestive system, urinary system, limbs).

Omphaloceles are usually detected at the 20-week ultrasound, which examines the anatomical structures of the fetus for growth abnormalities. Prenatal screening is not required unless the omphalocele ruptures in utero; C-section is usually not required for small omphaloceles, but is recommended for large and especially giant omphaloceles.

Immediately after birth, babies with an omphalocele need to be stabilized. They need a nasogastric tube, endotracheal intubation, and intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and vitamin K. The sac needs a special cover to prevent fluid loss and keep it warm. As long as the sac is intact, urgent surgery is not necessary.

Treatment of omphaloceles involves surgery to return the protruding organs to the abdomen and close the abdominal wall. Small omphaloceles can be operated on soon after birth, while large and giant omphaloceles usually require staged repair (several operations over several weeks). Between surgeries, the organs inside the omphalocele are protected by an artificial sac called a silo.

If a baby with an omphalocele was born prematurely and needs to grow before surgery is possible, a “paint and wait” approach is used: a special ointment is applied to encourage skin growth over the sac. Once the omphalocele is covered with skin and the baby is big and strong enough, surgery can be performed.

Omphalocele Awareness Day was created to educate the public about this rare condition and to provide families of children with omphalocele with the support and resources they need. You can get involved by donating to an organization that supports families dealing with the diagnosis and by spreading the word on social media using the hashtag #OmphaloceleAwarenessDay.