Omphalocele

Omphalocele is a birth defect where an infant’s abdominal organs, such as intestines or liver, push outside the body through an opening in the belly button area. Unlike other conditions, these organs are covered by a thin sac of tissue. It occurs early in pregnancy when the abdominal muscles do not form properly. The severity varies; some cases involve only a small area, while others are more extensive. Treatment typically requires surgery soon after birth to place the organs back inside the abdomen and close the opening. Omphalocele can sometimes be associated with other medical conditions or genetic syndromes.