Prolonged cord separation in a newborn: a rare case of an unusual epithelialised umbilical cord

BMJ Case Rep. 2024 Jan 23;17(1):e257184. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2023-257184.

Abstract

A female full-term neonate, accompanied by her parents, was referred to the paediatric surgery department on the day of after birth. She presented with a 9 cm length pathological umbilical cord, of which the first 7 cm was red and wet, with ulceration, necrosis and healing areas. The patient never had a fever. Abdominal palpation showed no umbilical hernia and abdominal Doppler ultrasound was normal. After several days of disinfection, by biseptine antiseptic solution, and a monthly follow-up, most of the umbilical cord fell out. It only remained a 4 cm length navel consisting of 2 cm of excessive skin and 2 cm of mucous tissue. The lesion was surgically excised at 6 months old. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 1. The results of the histology confirmed the diagnosis of an epithelialised umbilical cord. The 1-month follow-up was uneventful.

Keywords: Obstetrics, gynaecology and fertility; Paediatric Surgery; Paediatrics (drugs and medicines).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiography
  • Child
  • Female
  • Fever
  • Heart Function Tests
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Umbilical Cord*
  • Umbilicus*