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Condition

Pediatric Omphalocele

What is an omphalocele?

An omphalocele is a birth defect, which is an abnormality that occurs before birth as a fetus is forming in its mother's uterus. Some of the abdominal organs protrude through an opening in the abdominal muscles in the area of the umbilical cord. A translucent membrane covers the protruding organs.

The omphalocele may be small, with only a portion of the intestine protruding outside the abdominal cavity, or large, with most of the abdominal organs (including intestine, liver, and spleen) present outside the abdominal cavity. Further, the abdominal cavity itself may be small due to underdevelopment during pregnancy.

Appointments

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Providers Who Treat Omphalocele

  • Jul 22, 2024

    Helping Maddie to Live Life to the Fullest

    Maddie is a lively, creative teen who loves to act. Research at Children's National Hospital helps to ensure that her rare disease doesn"t upstage her big theater plans or her love of life.

Departments that Treat Omphalocele

    Rare Disease Institute

    Children’s National Rare Disease Institute (CNRDI) is a first-of-its-kind center focused exclusively on advancing the care and treatment of children and adults with rare genetic diseases.