Abdominal wall congenital malformations are birth defects that occur while a fetus is still in the womb. The underlying cause of these conditions is unknown, but some experts believe there may be a genetic link.
Obstruction Symptoms
When the digestive organs of a baby’s body do not develop correctly, they can get blocked. These obstructions can occur in the intestines, bile ducts, stomach or esophagus. These blockages can lead to serious complications for the baby, so it is important to be diagnosed and treated early.
Diaphragmatic Hernia Symptoms
If a child has a diaphragmatic hernia, the abdominal organs push through a hole in the diaphragm (the layer of tissue that separates the chest cavity from the rest of the body). This defect can be very dangerous because it causes the baby’s lungs to become overcrowded and makes it difficult for them to breathe normally. If this is not repaired, a child could die.
These symptoms can also be caused by a more serious condition, such as pneumonia or lung infection. If this is the case, the child needs specialized medical treatment and may need to stay in the hospital for a long time.
The two most common abdominal wall congenital malformations are omphalocele and gastroschisis. Both of these conditions are diagnosed through ultrasound during pregnancy, and the outcome for babies with these abnormalities depends on the size and whether there are other abnormalities.
Oxpalocele Symptoms
Omphalocele is an abnormal opening in the abdominal muscle wall that allows the intestines to protrude through it. This can occur on the right side of the belly button, allowing the intestines to be exposed outside of the abdomen. It is often seen with the stomach and liver, but can also occur with the spleen and other organs.
It is sometimes confused with an umbilical hernia. However, an umbilical hernia is completely covered by skin, while omphalocele has a translucent membrane that covers the organs that protrude through the hole in the muscle wall.
Gastroschisis Symptoms
A baby with gastroschisis has an opening in the abdominal wall that allows the bowel to push through it. This is often on the right side of the belly button, and it can be one to two inches in diameter. It can also be much larger, causing the stomach and other organs to bulge out.
Because there is no membrane covering the intestines that protrude, the bowel can become irritated and damaged. If this happens, a doctor can perform surgery to remove the part of the intestines that are pushing through the hole and repair the damage.
Abdominal wall congenital malformations can be identified and diagnosed through prenatal ultrasound during the second trimester of pregnancy. These abnormalities can affect the child’s development and the health of the mother and fetus, so it is important to be diagnosed as soon as possible. The outlook for children with these malformations is usually very good, but they may have additional problems that need to be diagnosed and treated by a specialist doctor, such as a gastroenterologist.
