Omphalocele or omphalocoele also called exomphalos, is a rare abdominal wall defect. Beginning at the 6th week of development, rapid elongation of the gut and increased liver size reduces intra abdominal space, which pushes intestinal loops out of the abdominal cavity. Around 10th week, the intestine returns to the abdominal cavity and the process is completed by the 12th week. Persistence of intestine or the presence of other abdominal viscera (e.g. stomach, liver) in the umbilical cord results in an omphalocele. Omphalocele occurs in 1 in 4,000 births and is associated with a high rate of mortality (25%) and severe malformations, such as cardiac anomalies (50%), neural tube defect (40%), exstrophy of the bladder and Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome. Approximately 15% of live-born infants with omphalocele have chromosomal abnormalities. About 30% of infants with an omphalocele have other congenital abnormalities. Signs and symptoms
The sac, which is formed from an outpouching of the peritoneum, protrudes in the midline, through the umbilicus (navel).It is normal for the intestines to protrude from the abdomen, into the umbilical cord, until about the tenth week of pregnancy, after which they return to inside the fetal abdomen. The omphalocele can be mild, with only a small loop of intestines present outside the abdomen, or severe, containing most of the abdominal organs. In severe cases surgical treatment is made more difficult because the infants abdomen is abnormally small, having had no need to expand to accommodate the developing organs. Larger omphaloceles are associated with a higher risk of cardiac defects.
In some cases, stretching of the abdominal wall to accommodate intestinal contents may be required. Non-operative therapy uses escharotic ointments. This is used for infants with large omphaloceles that have been born prematurely with respiratory insufficiency and associated chromosomal defects, as they would not be able to tolerate surgery. The ointment causes the sac to granulate and epithelialize, which leaves a residual large ventral hernia, which can be repaired later with surgery when the baby is more stable. After surgery, for larger omphaloceles, mechanical ventilation and parenteral nutrition is needed to manage the baby. Society and culture
Awareness Day
International Omphalocele Awareness Day is celebrated annually in the US on January 31, as part of Birth Defect Awareness Month. Several U.S. states have passed resolutions to officially recognize the date. References

Omphalocele Diagnosis and Treatment at SSM Health St. Louis Fetal Care Institute
The Brown Fetal Treatment Program - Providence, Rhode Island at Brown University
Fetal Treatment Center: Omphalocele at UCSF
Gastroschisis Exomphalos Extrophies Parent Support (GEEPS)


== External links ==