Umbilical granulomatosis in newborns: Causes and treatment

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Dang Thi Ngoc Chuong - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

During pregnancy, the umbilical cord carries nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the fetus. After birth, the umbilical cord is cut and left a section. This part of the cord usually falls off on its own within 1 to 3 weeks after giving birth. However, in some cases, the healing process of the umbilicus after shedding is disturbed and excess scar tissue is formed, forming umbilical granulomas in infants.

Currently, medical experts have not yet found the cause of umbilical granuloma in infants. However, the child's care and medical conditions were not related to the likelihood of the child developing umbilical granuloma.
Usually, after the umbilical cord is cut, a short cut is left in the belly button of the baby. This umbilical cord usually dries and falls off without any complications. Sometimes, when the umbilical cord has fallen off but an umbilical granuloma is present at the base of the umbilicus, the tumor is formed from overgrown tissue. An umbilical cord granuloma resembles scar tissue that forms when the navel heals after the loss of the umbilical cord.

An umbilical granuloma is a moist, red mass of tissue that appears above the navel, which parents will look like in a newborn baby with seed buds or umbilical buds in newborns. Other symptoms may include:
Yellowish discharge The navel is frequently moist The skin around the navel is mildly irritated Umbilical granulomas are not usually a cause for concern and they do not cause pain or discomfort to the baby. However, because the umbilicus is often moist, it makes the umbilicus susceptible to infection. If present, the child will have the following symptoms:
The child has a fever Pain or discomfort when parents touch the navel or tissue around the belly button is swollen It's warm to the touch Red streaks of skin leading from the navel Drainage from umbilical granulomas If experiencing symptoms of infection, parents or caregivers should contact a doctor immediately or visit Medical facilities with pediatric specialties for timely examination and treatment.

If the child has umbilical granuloma, parents should take the child to the doctor and get treated. If left untreated, umbilical granuloma can lead to umbilical cord infection and adversely affect the health of the child.
Most cases of umbilical granulomas can be easily treated with silver nitrate applied to the navel, which has a burning effect on the tissues. Because umbilical granulomatosis has no nerves, this treatment is painless for the child.

In cases where silver nitrate doesn't work, your doctor may offer a few other options for parents: In rare cases, your baby will need surgery to remove the umbilical cord granuloma and stop it from spreading. of infection.
Specialist I Dang Thi Ngoc Chuong has worked at Children's Hospital I, Thu Duc Hospital and University Hospital of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City. With strengths in neonatal diagnosis and examination - neonatal resuscitation, Dr. Chuong is currently a pediatrician at Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital and a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Pediatric Association. Bright.
Reference source: Healthline.com
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Treatment of umbilical granulomatosis in infants The formation of umbilical granulomas in newborns Proper care of the umbilicus of the newborn, avoiding infection