Inflammation of the navel in children. Omphalitis in newborns

Probably, young parents are especially sensitive to the treatment of navel wounds. Since it is no secret to anyone that if this wound has not healed, then there is a high probability of infection, and at the same time the appearance of inflammation of the subcutaneous tissues and skin. This disease is called navel omphalitis.

What are the pitfalls of this medical term? And for what reason is it necessary to treat inflammation of the navel as early as possible, and under the supervision of experienced specialists?

Omphalitis: what is it?

(translated from Greek omphalos - “navel”, itis - ending that indicates inflammation) is a pathology that most often relates to newborn children. The disease is characterized by an inflammatory process of subcutaneous fat in the area of ​​the umbilical ring with the vessels located near it, and the bottom of the umbilical wound. The disease appears approximately in the second week of a baby’s life.

Omphalitis, together with other diseases of the neonatal period, such as epidemic pemphigus, streptoderma, is observed quite often. The problem is that untreated omphalitis has a destructive effect on the baby’s body, leading to such consequences as sepsis, peritonitis, phlegmon, and phlebitis of the umbilical vessels. Therefore, if you determine that something is wrong with the child’s navel, then immediately show the baby to the pediatrician so as not to delay treatment.

Causes of navel inflammation in newborns

There is only one reason for the appearance of omphalitis - infection through the navel wound. As a rule, streptococci or staphylococci are the culprits of infection. Quite rarely - gram-negative bacteria, their representatives are diphtheria and E. coli.

How does the infection get inside? There are a number of factors that provoke the appearance of omphalitis:

• Untimely washing of the child after he defecated, failure to follow hygiene rules when caring for the baby: treating the navel area with contaminated hands of parents or medical staff.
• Insufficient or improper treatment of the navel wound.
• The appearance of diaper dermatitis. The baby spends a long time in a diaper contaminated with feces or urine, and the skin begins to sweat. The situation is aggravated by the lack of air baths and rare bathing.
• The baby is cared for by a sick person who can transmit the infection through airborne droplets.
• Very rarely, infection occurs during childbirth during ligation of the umbilical cord.
• Primary infection of another skin disease of an infectious nature, for example, folliculitis or pyoderma.

Babies who are born in aseptic out-of-hospital conditions (for example, home births), premature babies, as well as those who have had difficult intrauterine development, aggravated by abnormal congenital pathologies and hypoxia, are at increased risk of developing omphalitis.

Various types of pathology and their main symptoms

Taking into account the severity of the passage of navel omphalitis, it is divided into phlegmonous, necrotic and catarrhal. If the disease arose due to umbilical infection, then omphalitis is defined as primary. If the infection joins existing pathologies, such as fistulas, then secondary omphalitis is considered. Let us describe in more detail all available forms.

"Wet navel"

The most “simple” type of disease, which is considered the most common and also has the best positive prognosis. This pathology has a generally accepted medical name - catarrhal omphalitis. Most often, the remnant of the umbilical cord falls off on its own during the first 2 weeks of life. In the area of ​​the navel ring, epithelization occurs, this is a sign of its healing. A crust forms, which dries out by the end of the second week and also falls off, leaving a nice and clean navel.

But if an infection has entered the wound, then the inflamed area does not allow it to heal as it should. Instead, serous-purulent fluid begins to be released, in some cases mixed with blood, and the wound healing process is delayed for several more weeks. From time to time, the bleeding area is covered with crusts, but after they fall off, proper epithelization does not occur. This phenomenon is called wet navel effect.

The duration of the inflammatory process leads to the formation of a protrusion at the bottom of the navel, which looks like a mushroom. And although the baby’s physical condition does not suffer much: the child sleeps soundly, gains weight well, has a good appetite, etc. – swelling and redness are observed near the navel ring, and body temperature is likely to increase to 37.1-37.8 degrees.

Phlegmonous omphalitis

This type of disease is said to occur if sufficient care has not been given to the “wet navel”, and the inflammatory the process transferred to nearby tissues. Reddened skin is accompanied by swelling of the tissue under the skin, which causes the stomach to appear slightly bloated. In the area of ​​the anterior abdominal wall, the venous pattern is more clearly visible. If, in addition to everything, red stripes are noted, then the appearance of lymphangitis is likely - a pathology that affects the lymphatic vessels and capillaries.

Inflammatory process in the navel wound

If the infection has spread to the peri-umbilical tissue, then there is no need to self-medicate. The baby must be examined by a qualified doctor.

The distinctive symptom of phlegmonous omphalitis from other types of the disease is this is pyorrhea. When pressure is applied to the navel area, purulent contents begin to be released. Ulcers form in the area of ​​the umbilical fossa. These complications also affect the child’s well-being: the baby often spits up, is capricious, and eats poorly. He is lethargic, the temperature rapidly increases to 38 degrees.

Necrotizing omphalitis

The most difficult passage of the disease however, fortunately, it does not occur very often, as a rule, in weakened children with severe symptoms of immunodeficiency and retardation in psycho-emotional and physical development. The skin of the abdomen is not just hyperemic. The skin becomes bluish and dark purple in places as the suppuration spreads deeper and deeper.

The child does not have the strength to fight the disease, so the disease is rarely accompanied by a high temperature. More often, on the contrary, the temperature is less than 36 degrees, and the baby itself moves little and has a inhibited reaction. Any complications for the child’s life are dangerous, since bacteria, penetrating the systemic bloodstream (this is called septic infection), provoke the appearance of diseases such as:

Treatment of gangrenous (necrotizing) omphalitis is carried out only in aseptic hospital conditions, often with surgical intervention.

Diagnosis of the disease

The initial diagnosis is established immediately, at the reception, when the child is examined by a pediatric surgeon, neonatologist or pediatrician. But in order to make sure that there are no complications described above, it is prescribed additionally perform instrumental diagnostics:

• X-ray of the abdominal cavity with a survey examination;
• Ultrasound of soft tissues;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Even if the diagnosis was established by a neonatologist, the baby must certainly be examined by a pediatric surgeon.

The secreted liquid, especially with impurities of pus, must be taken for bacterial culture analysis to clearly identify the infectious pathogen. This is quite important, since, having identified what type of infection is being dealt with, as well as determining sensitivity to antibacterial drugs, the specialist can choose the group of antibiotics that will be most effective in treatment.

Only a simple form can be treated at home of this disease. This requires local treatment of the navel wound up to four times daily. First, a few drops of hydrogen peroxide are dripped into the wound and the contents are removed with hygienic sticks. Afterwards, drying is carried out and immediately antiseptic measures are taken: the wound is treated with furatsilin, a brilliant green solution, 70% alcohol, dioxidin or chlorophyllipt. The baby is bathed in a light solution of manganese.

In severe situations, the use of antibiotic therapy is imperative, as well as the local use of antiseptic ointments (Baneocin, Vishnevsky's liniment) in the form of applying a bandage to the wound. Antibiotic injections can be performed directly at the site of inflammation. According to indications, umbilical fungus is cauterized with lapis (silver nitrate).

They can put drainage on the wound - a tube through which pus drains out. According to indications, excision of necrotic tissue areas (surgical removal), administration of gamma globulin, and intravenous detoxification solutions are used. Ulcers can also be removed surgically.

The baby is prescribed vitamin therapy and drugs to improve immunity. If the doctor deems it necessary, physiotherapeutic methods of treatment are used, such as helium-neon laser, UHF therapy or ultraviolet radiation.

Possible consequences

The main prognosis for the treatment of catarrhal omphalitis in newborns is positive and ends with complete cure. As for necrotic or phlegmonous omphalitis, everything will depend on how quickly the treatment is carried out and whether all possible methods of therapy will be used. During septic infections, the risk of death is constantly high.

To prevent infection, you must take a responsible approach to caring for your baby and follow all hygiene rules:

Adults need to take a very responsible and attentive approach to caring for an infant. And if the navel does not heal after birth in 1-2 weeks, then you need to show the baby to a doctor. Omphalitis can lead to quite serious consequences. However, adequate and timely therapy makes it possible to quickly cure the disease, which in the future will not affect the health or well-being of the child.

Omphalitis is an inflammation of the umbilical fossa that occurs during its healing period after the umbilical cord falls off.

There are simple, necrotic and phlegmonous forms of omphalitis.

The simple form is characterized by prolonged healing of the umbilical fossa, constant wetting of the navel, minor serous or serous-purulent discharge that forms crusts. The child's general condition has not changed: he is active and gaining weight.

In the phlegmonous form, the umbilical fossa is an ulcer, the bottom of which is infiltrated, covered with fibrinous-purulent layers, surrounded by a thickened, dense skin ridge. The skin around the navel is inflamed and swollen. Sometimes phlegmon of the anterior abdominal wall develops, which leads to a deterioration in the general condition of the child. Such children are restless, sleep poorly, the peeing process is disrupted, intoxication symptoms increase, and body temperature rises to febrile levels.

The necrotizing form of omphalitis usually develops in weakened children. The inflammatory process spreads deep into the soft tissues, the skin becomes necrotic and flakes off. Sometimes necrosis will affect the entire thickness of the anterior abdominal wall, causing eventration of intestinal loops.

Phlegmonous and necrotic forms of omphalitis can become a source of peritonitis, liver abscesses, pylephlebitis, and umbilical sepsis.

Sometimes a long-term inflammatory process in the umbilical fossa can support morphological changes in the umbilical complex, in particular, incomplete urinary or umbilical fistulas. A careful examination of the bottom of the umbilical fossa reveals a pinpoint depression that needs to be examined with a thin button probe. If the probe is buried perpendicular to the anterior abdominal wall, this indicates the presence of an incomplete umbilical fistula. If the probe passes 3 - 8 mm towards the bladder, then it is an incomplete urinary fistula.

Usually the diagnosis of omphalitis does not cause difficulties. Occasionally it is necessary to differentiate omphalitis from umbilical fungus, fistulas and calcification (formation of stones along the vessels, most often after catheterization of the umbilical vein); the phlegmonous form of omphalitis is differentiated from necrotic phlegmon of newborns.

Treatment . For a simple form of omphalitis, local treatment is carried out: careful toilet of the umbilical fossa, daily treatment with a solution of hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, use of antiseptics (dioxidine, dioxysol).

In case of phlegmonous and necrotic form of omphalitis, it is necessary to hospitalize the child in the surgical department and carry out local and general therapy. At the infiltration stage, treatment includes toileting the umbilical wound and physiotherapeutic procedures (dry heat, UHF, ultraviolet radiation). In the event of a fluctuation, surgical intervention is indicated: in the phlegmonous form, 2–3 incisions are made followed by drainage with rubber strips; in the necrotic form, multiple skin incisions are used over the entire area of ​​the affected surface and at the border with healthy tissues. A bandage with a hypertonic solution is applied to the wound. After sanitation of the wound, ointment dressings with antibacterial ointments on a hydrophilic basis and physiotherapeutic procedures are used.

The set of general measures is determined by the severity of intoxication symptoms and is carried out according to the general principles of treatment of purulent surgical infection: antibacterial, detoxification therapy, immunotherapy, hyperbaric oxygenation.

The prognosis for phlegmonous and necrotic forms of omphalitis depends on the effectiveness of the therapy and the addition of complications.

Omphalitis (its phlegmonous and necrotic forms) can be complicated by the development of:

phlegmon of the anterior abdominal wall - diffuse inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue;

contact peritonitis;

liver abscesses - purulent cavities in the liver tissue.

When the pathogen spreads through the bloodstream, sepsis and distant purulent foci may occur: osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone marrow and adjacent bone tissue), destructive pneumonia (pneumonia with foci of decay of lung tissue), enterocolitis (inflammation of the small and large intestine), etc. All complications omphalitis pose a danger to the child’s life, and their treatment is carried out only in a hospital.

How is omphalitis treated?

Treatment of omphalitis depends on its form. With a simple form, treatment by a doctor at home is possible, with all others - only in a children's hospital (in the neonatal pathology department). It is important to prevent the accumulation of purulent contents and growths under the crust, which requires timely treatment of the umbilical wound.

In a simple form, the umbilical wound is first washed with a solution of hydrogen peroxide, and then treated with alcohol or aqueous solutions of antiseptics with 70% alcohol, FURACILIN, DIOXIDINE and CHLOROPHYLLIPTE 3-4 times a day (more often than with normal navel care - see below) . Apply 2-3 drops of a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to the wound with a sterile pipette (sterilized by boiling for 30 minutes). Then the bottom and surface of the navel are dried with a cotton swab or cotton swab. After this, you need to use a cotton swab to lubricate the wound with an antiseptic solution (for example, a 1% alcohol solution of CHLOROPHYLLIPTE). To perform each of the above operations, you must use a new cotton swab. The navel fungus is cauterized with lapis (silver nitrate), which is used only as prescribed by a doctor, and baths with a weak (pink) solution of potassium permanganate are also prescribed.

Treatment of the phlegmonous form is carried out with the participation of a surgeon. In addition to treating the umbilical wound with antiseptics, the doctor will recommend applying ointments with antibacterial substances (BACITRACIN POLYMYXIN, VISHNEVSKY OINTMENT). According to indications (and they are determined only by a doctor), antibiotics and anti-staphylococcal immunoglobulin are prescribed.

In the necrotic form of omphalitis, dead tissue is excised to the border with healthy skin, and antibacterial and detoxification therapy is also carried out (intravenous administration of special solutions to reduce intoxication). Locally, in addition to antiseptics, wound healing agents (sea buckthorn or rose hip oil) are used.

For all forms of omphalitis, it is possible to use physiotherapy (ultraviolet irradiation of the umbilical wound, the use of a helium-neon laser, therapy with ultra-high and ultra-high frequency currents on the umbilical wound - UHF and microwave therapy). To prevent omphalitis, proper care of the umbilical wound is necessary with the obligatory observance of sterility when processing it.

Treatment of the umbilical wound

You need to treat the umbilical wound once a day after washing the child (more frequent treatment can injure the wound that has begun to heal). Treatment is carried out with 70% alcohol or another colorless antiseptic - for example, a 1% alcohol solution of chlorophyllipt (the use of potassium permanganate or brilliant green is undesirable, since they stain the skin and can hide possible inflammation). Under no circumstances should you peel off the scabs from the wound - this can lead to bleeding. There is no need to bandage the wound. After healing (this usually occurs after the 10-14th day of life), the umbilical wound does not need to be treated. Recommended actions when treating the navel:

Before bathing the child, prepare everything necessary for treating the navel (70% alcohol or 1% solution of CHLOROPHYLLIPTE, cotton swabs). It is more convenient to treat the navel on a changing table covered with a diaper.

After bathing and drying the child’s skin, carefully push the umbilical fold apart and lubricate the wound with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or CHLOROPHYLLIPTE (treat not only the bottom of the umbilical wound with an antiseptic, but also all its corners). If discharge, redness, induration and other signs of omphalitis occur, it is important to contact a doctor in a timely manner, since only a doctor will be able to select additional treatment and prevent the development of complications.

Omphalitis in newborns usually occurs before the age of one month. Older children and even adults sometimes get sick too, but such cases are very rare. Omphalitis is one of the most common acquired diseases diagnosed in children in the first three weeks of life. If you start treating it in time, the disease will quickly recede and will not leave any consequences.

What is omphalitis?

This is an inflammation of the umbilical wound and umbilical cord, which affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The problem leads to disruption of epithelization processes and is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. There is no need to panic when omphalitis is diagnosed in newborns, but it is not recommended to let the disease take its course. Timely and competent treatment is the key to a successful and speedy recovery of the baby.

Causes of omphalitis

The main reason why omphalitis develops in children is the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the umbilical wound. This happens, as a rule, with insufficiently qualified child care. The infection can be transmitted through the dirty hands of parents or medical personnel. Other factors also cause omphalitis in newborns:

• premature birth;
• weakened child’s body;
• the presence of intrauterine infections;
• presence of concomitant infectious diseases.

Symptoms of omphalitis

Manifestations of the disease vary slightly depending on the form of omphalitis. All signs are usually divided into general and local. The latter are symptoms that appear directly in the area around the navel. These include:

• discharge from the wound (they can be colored in different colors, sometimes the oozing liquid contains blood);
• unpleasant odor;
• redness and hyperthermia of the skin;
• swelling of the skin near the navel;
• the appearance of red stripes on the epidermis.

General symptoms are nonspecific signs indicating the presence of infection and inflammatory process in the body:

• elevated temperature;
• tearfulness;
• lethargy;
• deterioration and complete loss of appetite;
• noticeable reduction in weight gain.

Catarrhal omphalitis

This form occurs in most cases and is considered the most favorable. Catarrhal omphalitis in newborns is also commonly called a weeping navel. Ideally, the remnants of the umbilical cord should fall off on their own in the first days of life. A small scab-covered wound remains in this place, which heals within 10-15 days. Catarrhal omphalitis in newborns delays the period of epithelization and causes the appearance of discharge from the navel.

If the weeping does not go away for a long time - two or more weeks - granulation tissue may begin to grow - inflammation spreads to healthy tissue. The symptoms of the disease remain not pronounced. Only in some cases a slight increase in temperature is observed. Catarrhal omphalitis in newborns occurs without complications, and after the start of local treatment, the child quickly recovers.

Purulent omphalitis

This form of the disease is usually a complication of catarrhal disease. Purulent omphalitis in newborns leads to an increase in edema and area of ​​hyperemia. The disease affects the lymphatic vessels, which is why a red spot appears around the navel, resembling a jellyfish or octopus in appearance. The discharge becomes purulent and often smells unpleasant. Purulent omphalitis in newborns has symptoms and others:

• increased;
• whims;
• loss of appetite.

Omphalitis - complications

If the signs of omphalitis are ignored, this can lead to complications. The latter are not as easy to deal with as the usual form of the disease. In addition, they not only worsen the quality of life, but also sometimes pose a danger to the baby’s health. Phlegmous omphalitis may have complications such as:

• phlegmon of the anterior abdominal wall;
• liver abscess;
• contact peritonitis;
• the spread of the pathogen through the bloodstream is fraught with the development of sepsis;
• osteomyelitis;
• destructive pneumonia;

Complications in most cases lead to the fact that the child’s health deteriorates noticeably, he behaves restlessly and refuses to breastfeed. The temperature can rise to 39 degrees or more. The wound on the navel turns into an open ulcer, constantly weeping due to purulent discharge. In the most severe cases, tissue necrosis develops.

Omphalitis in newborns - treatment

The problem develops quickly, but progress can be stopped if, when omphalitis is diagnosed, treatment begins in a timely manner. A neonatologist will help recognize inflammation in the early stages. To confirm the diagnosis you need to take tests. You can fight the catarrhal form of the disease at home under the constant supervision of a pediatrician. Treatment of purulent omphalitis and other types of the disease should be carried out only in a hospital. Otherwise, it will be difficult to avoid serious consequences.

Treatment of the umbilical wound for omphalitis

In the initial stages, the site of inflammation needs to be treated several times a day. The algorithm for treating the umbilical wound with omphalitis is simple: first, the affected area should be washed with hydrogen peroxide, and when it dries, with an antiseptic solution. For the procedure you need to use sterile cotton wool. It is recommended to treat the skin around the navel first and only then inside. During treatment, you can bathe your child in warm water with potassium permanganate or herbal decoctions. In more severe forms of the disease, after treatment, a compress with anti-inflammatory drugs is applied to the skin.

Omphalitis - ointment

The use of ointments is necessary only in difficult cases, since omphalitis is usually treated with antiseptics. Potent agents are used, as a rule, for compresses. The most popular ointments that are usually prescribed for inflammation of the navel:

• Polymyxin;
• Bacitracin.

Prevention of omphalitis

Inflammation of the umbilical wound is one of those problems that is easier to prevent than to treat.

You can prevent omphalitis and protect your baby from suffering by following simple rules:

1. The umbilical wound must be treated 2-3 times a day until it heals completely. Even if there are a few crusts left on it, you cannot stop the procedures.
2. First, the navel should be wiped with a peroxide solution, and when the skin is dry, it is treated with brilliant green or 70 percent alcohol.
3. It is strictly forbidden to tear off the crusts from the wound. No matter how surprising it may sound, a scab is the most reliable bandage. It prevents pathogenic microorganisms from entering the wound and falls off on its own when the skin no longer needs protection.
4. The navel should not be covered with a diaper, taped or bandaged. If the wound is closed, it may become closed and inflamed. In addition, matter can catch on the scab and rip it off, which will cause discomfort, expose the unhealed navel and open access to bacteria and germs.
5. If purulent discharge or an unpleasant odor suddenly appears, it is recommended to urgently seek the help of a specialist - a pediatrician or pediatric surgeon.

The child is discharged from the maternity hospital on days 3-5 of life after the umbilical cord falls off. On the 3-4th day of the baby’s life (usually by the time of discharge from the hospital), the wound is already covered with a bloody crust, sometimes there is a small bloody discharge. With proper care, the crust disappears by 12-15 days of life.

To treat the wound, use the thumb and forefinger of the left hand to push apart the upper and lower edges of the wound, place a cotton swab or cotton swab generously moistened with 3% hydrogen peroxide in the center and carefully remove the crusts. Then a cotton swab soaked in a 1% solution of brilliant green is placed in the center of the umbilical wound (you can use a 40% solution of alcohol or a 5% solution of potassium permanganate - “potassium permanganate”).

Remember that the umbilical wound should be treated from the center to prevent infection. This procedure must be done twice a day. The first sign of wound healing will be the absence of foaming when treated with hydrogen peroxide. After complete scarring, a retracted skin fold remains - the navel.

In healthy newborns, the umbilical wound heals within 5-7 days. If the child was born weakened (premature, low birth weight, with an intrauterine infection, etc.), then the healing of the umbilical wound may be delayed. Pathogens of purulent infection can get onto the wound surface: staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli, etc. More often, infection occurs from a mother who has foci of chronic infection in any organ (throat, liver, kidneys, genitals). But other people who communicate closely with him and suffer from pustular diseases can also infect the baby.

Inflammation of the umbilical region can be superficial and deep. The umbilical wound becomes covered with a crust, from under which mucous or purulent discharge oozes. The skin around the wound turns red and becomes pasty. Sometimes the process spreads to the blood vessels and, if not properly cared for, can lead to the spread of infection throughout the body.

Prevention of infection through the umbilical wound should be carried out immediately after birth. The child should be bathed daily in boiled water with the addition of a solution of potassium permanganate. Treat the wound daily with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, followed by drying with a 1% alcohol solution of brilliant green or a 3% solution of potassium permanganate. Treatment of the umbilical wound continues until it is completely healed. If there is purulent discharge from the wound or the appearance of pustules on the skin, you should call a doctor.

After the remainder of the umbilical cord is rejected and dries, a wound remains in the navel area. Its healing is a very important process, since the umbilical wound can be an entry point for infection. Pay attention to this: redness of the skin near the umbilical wound, swelling, copious discharge, bleeding, the appearance of growths or pus at the bottom, prolonged scarring - reason to immediately consult a doctor!

Advice from a neonatologist

Don’t be afraid to touch the umbilical cord or umbilical wound when processing them! Kids may, of course, experience some discomfort, but it doesn’t hurt them. Caring for the umbilical wound should be especially careful, since it can serve as an entry point for infection, which can result in first catarrhal and then purulent omphalitis - inflammation of the tissue near the umbilical wound.

In cases where there is prolonged “wetting” of the wound (more than 2 weeks), bloody, purulent or other discharge from it, you must consult a doctor! Do not try to treat your baby yourself: it may be unsafe for him.

The wound should not be under a gauze or disposable diaper, as this makes it difficult for the crust to dry, causes weeping and thus prevents the rapid healing of the wound and contributes to the possible addition of infection. Sometimes additional irritation of the skin of the peri-umbilical area is observed. To avoid this, you should bend the waistband of the disposable diaper so that the navel area remains open.

After being discharged from the maternity hospital, the mother is left alone with the child and is faced with the need to look after him. Some phenomena can frighten a woman, in particular, many young mothers do not know how to properly care for the umbilical wound. Often babies have a problem in the form of a wet navel, how to deal with this?

Symptoms of a weeping navel

In the first minutes after birth, the baby's umbilical cord is clamped and cut. The cord remnant normally falls off within two to four days. In its place, an umbilical wound is formed, which becomes covered with a crust. Complete healing of the navel occurs within two to three weeks.

Normally, the healing process of the umbilical wound may be accompanied by slight weeping and the formation of yellowish crusts. But in the case of pronounced weeping and poor healing of the umbilical wound, they speak of the development of catarrhal omphalitis (wetting navel).

Bacteria (- and,) are to blame for the development of omphalitis, which penetrate into the tissues through the umbilical cord or umbilical wound. The activity of bacteria leads to the development of inflammation.

Symptoms of catarrhal omphalitis (weeping navel) are:

With long-term weeping, a mushroom-shaped growth of granulation tissue can form - this is called umbilical fungus. Catarrhal omphalitis does not affect the general condition of the child in any way. This form of the disease is the most favorable and often occurs among newborns.

Symptoms of purulent omphalitis in newborns

If the discharge from the umbilical wound becomes yellow and thick, this indicates the development purulent omphalitis. At the same time, the skin around the navel swells and turns red. When inflammation spreads to the peri-umbilical area, it develops phlegmonous omphalitis, which is characterized by severe swelling, redness of the skin around the navel, as well as protrusion of the umbilical area. The skin around the navel is hot to the touch, and when you press on this area, pus flows out of the umbilical wound.

A complication of this form of the disease is necrotizing omphalitis. This is a very rare condition, often found in weakened children. With necrotizing omphalitis, the inflammatory process spreads deep into the tissues. The skin in the umbilical area becomes purplish-bluish and soon peels off from the underlying tissue, forming a large wound. This is the most severe form of omphalitis, which can lead to sepsis.

Purulent omphalitis is severe, children become lethargic, do not breastfeed well, and there is an increase in temperature. Fortunately, purulent forms of omphalitis are quite rare.

Prevention and treatment of a weeping navel in newborns

If parents are faced with a problem such as a weeping navel, they should contact their pediatrician. The doctor will treat the umbilical wound and teach this manipulation to parents. For catarrhal omphalitis (weeping navel), the doctor can treat the disease at home. However, with purulent forms of omphalitis, hospitalization of the baby is mandatory.

Treatment and prevention of a weeping navel is carried out as follows:

All newborns need to undergo this procedure once a day until the umbilical wound is completely healed. For babies with a weeping navel, manipulation can be performed two to three times a day.

Navel fungus is treated by cauterizing granulations with a 5% solution of silver nitrate. In the case of phlegmonous omphalitis, the baby is prescribed antibiotics internally, as well as externally in the form of ointments. In the necrotic form of the disease, in addition to antibacterial treatment, surgical excision of dead tissue is performed.

What should you do if your belly button gets wet?

Unfortunately, good intentions do not always lead to a quick recovery. Thus, some manipulations can further aggravate poor healing of the umbilical wound.

What mistakes do parents often make when caring for their baby's belly button?

1. You should refrain from bathing your child in bathtubs. It is enough to wipe the baby with a wet towel every day.
2. Do not cover the navel with a band-aid, diapers, or clothing. Contacting the skin with air helps the wound dry out.
3. Try to forcefully tear off the crusts.
4. Treat the wound with an antiseptic more often than the doctor advised.