In many infants, navel inflammation is observed in the first month of life. Such a problem occurs in almost one in ten crumbs. Many parents, faced with this situation, seriously panic. Others, by contrast, completely underestimate the problem. Meanwhile, this pathology - omphalitis in newborns - needs competent and timely treatment. Neglect or delay may result in serious consequences.
Pathology characteristic
The umbilical wound is a rather vulnerable spot in a newborn. Through it, an infection can easily enter the crumbs. In this case, inflammation of the navel bottom develops. Pathology can also cover adjacent tissues. Often, inflammation extends to the umbilical ring with adjacent vessels, subcutaneous fat. This is how omphalitis develops in newborns.
Most often, the disease manifests itself in the 2nd week of life. As a rule, in most infants, the wound heals by the 7th day. But in case of infection, it does not drag out in these terms. The wound starts to ooze. In addition, the development of pathology is indicated by reddened skin near the navel. To the touch, the tissues are quite dense, blood vessels are felt. And from the wound itself, pus can be released.
Causes of occurrence
Why does omphalitis develop in newborns? The only cause of the pathology is the penetration of the infection into the body through the open wound of the navel. In most cases, the culprits of infection are streptococci and staphylococci. But sometimes inflammation can develop as a result of the penetration of gram-negative bacteria, such as diphtheria or Escherichia coli.
The main factors provoking the development of the disease are:
- Inadequate or incorrect navel processing.
- Non-observance of hygiene rules when caring for a baby. The cause of inflammation may be the treatment of the wound with dirty hands or untimely bathing of crumbs after bowel movements.
- The appearance of diaper dermatitis. With a long stay of the baby in diapers contaminated with feces or urine, the skin sweats excessively. If the child rarely takes air and water baths, then the condition is significantly exacerbated.
- Airborne transmission. An infection can enter a baby’s body from a sick person caring for a baby.
- Infection with an infectious skin disease. Omphalitis can develop against the background of folliculitis or pyoderma.
- Infection during childbirth. Sometimes the infection of the baby occurs when bandaging the umbilical cord.
Most often, umbilical omphalitis is observed in premature babies, as well as in babies born outside of hospital conditions (during home birth). Often, crumbs suffer from this disease, in which abnormal congenital pathologies are observed.
Varieties of ailment
In a healthy child, the umbilical cord disappears by 3-4 days of life. After this, the wound is tightened with a bloody crust. It gradually dries up. Complete healing occurs on the 10-14th day of life. In the first week, a small amount of discharge from the wound may be observed. But by the time the navel is completely healed, it must be completely dry. If the wound has not healed by this time, there is every reason to believe that omphalitis in newborns develops.
Pathology is characterized by several varieties. Depending on the severity stage, the ailment is classified into:
- catarrhal;
- purulent;
- phlegmonous;
- necrotic.
In addition, the disease may be:
- primary (if it developed as a result of infection of the navel);
- secondary (in the event of an ailment against the background of already existing anomalies).
Each type of disease is characterized by its symptoms. That is why it is necessary to consider all forms separately.
Catarrhal omphalitis
This is a simple form of the disease. People call it the “weeping navel”.
For pathology, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- Slight discharge from the wound. As a rule, this is how the development of the disease begins. Discharge may be serous. Sometimes a bleeding navel in newborns even contains purulent fragments. Allocations can appear and disappear.
- Swelling of the umbilical ring. This symptom is very often observed with the development of pathology, but it is not mandatory. The umbilical ring turns red, swells. The skin is shiny and stretched.
- A fungus may occur (it resembles a mushroom growth). This is a pale pink dense formation. In most cases, it does not cause the baby discomfort, but it can easily suppurate when an infection gets. Infection often occurs when the fungus is damaged during swaddling or changing clothes.
With the development of a catarrhal variety of the disease, the baby feels great. He sleeps well, eats with appetite, gains weight well.
But treatment of the disease must be started immediately. If you do not take the fight against the disease at this stage, then the pathology will begin to progress.
Purulent omphalitis
If treatment was not undertaken at the stage described above or the wrong therapy was carried out, then the disease begins to progress. In this case, purulent pathology develops.
For this stage, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- Pus appears. It flows from the umbilical wound. The discharge is characterized by an unpleasant odor.
- The condition is getting worse. The child's temperature rises, appetite decreases significantly. The baby does not sleep well, is moody, constantly pulls his legs to the tummy. Regurgitation, dyspepsia may be observed.
- Infiltration of the skin, swelling. In the area of the navel, redness significantly increases. There is an expansion of veins.
- The navel in a newborn protrudes above the skin. In its shape, it resembles a cone. It feels hot to the touch.
In this case, it is necessary to show the baby to the surgeon as soon as possible.
Phlegmonous omphalitis
With further progression of the disease, the inflammatory process encompasses blood vessels - arteries and veins. In this case, phlegmonous omphalitis is observed.
The following symptoms are characteristic of it:
- Significantly worsens the condition of the child. He refuses a breast, loses weight. The baby is extremely worried, he has an indigestion. Pathology is accompanied by high temperature, sometimes reaching 40 degrees.
- Inflammation is pronounced. The navel in a newborn is red, swollen. It is hot to the touch, constantly gets wet, significantly protrudes above the integument.
- The focus of inflammation is increasing. Around the convex navel, red edematous tissues are observed. In their configuration, they resemble the appearance of an octopus or jellyfish.
- In a purulent wound, the course to the ulcer is determined. When pressure is applied to nearby integuments, pus secretion increases.
With this pathology, the risk of spreading phlegmon to the abdominal tissues is high.
Necrotic omphalitis
This is the most severe stage of the disease.
It manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- Phlegmon takes on a blue-red or purple color.
- A hole appears in the navel. Through it, the intestines may protrude.
- Exfoliation of tissues is observed. A huge wound gapes beneath them.
- The child is lethargic, lethargic. The temperature may drop sharply.
Necrotic omphalitis in children can lead to dangerous complications, one of which is sepsis.
Diagnosis of the disease
The definition of pathology does not cause difficulties. The doctor will make the initial diagnosis as soon as he examines the bleeding navel in newborns.
To exclude the development of complications, additional examinations will be prescribed:
- Ultrasound of the peritoneum, soft tissues;
- X-ray with a survey study.
The baby must be sent for a consultation with a pediatric surgeon.
In addition, a bacterium is prescribed. This allows you to determine the pathogen of infection. This analysis will make it possible to most accurately select antibiotic therapy.
Omphalitis: catarrhal treatment
At home, you can only fight this stage of the disease.
Therapy includes the following activities:
- The umbilical wound should be treated 4 times a day.
- Initially, a solution of hydrogen peroxide is dripped into it - 2-3 drops. Then, using hygienic sticks, the contents are removed.
- After this procedure, an antiseptic action is carried out. The wound is treated with drugs such as Furacilin, Chlorophyllipt, Dioxidin. Perhaps the use of green.
- It is especially important to know how to bathe the baby. It should not be forgotten that the baby is in great need of water procedures. However, with this pathology, doctors recommend adding a little potassium permanganate to the bath before bathing the baby. Water should be a pale pink.
Severe Stage Treatment
A progressive disease is most often fought in a hospital setting.
For treatment, measures are taken such as:
- The appointment of local antiseptic ointments. Recommended "Baneocin", liniment Vishnevsky. They are used for dressing on the wound.
- Antibiotic therapy. Sometimes chipping of the focus of inflammation is prescribed. Antibiotics are selected according to the results of bacterial seeding.
- Cauterization of fungus. For such an event, silver nitrate is used.
- Drainage of the wound. A special tube inserted into the navel provides a good outlet for pus.
- If necessary, the baby is prescribed vitamin therapy and medications that increase immunity.
In some cases, surgery to remove necrotic tissue is considered.
Conclusion
Parents should carefully and very responsibly take care of the newborn. And if the navel does not heal 10-14 days after birth, it is necessary to show the baby to the doctor. Omphalitis can lead to rather serious consequences. But timely and adequate therapy allows you to quickly cure the pathology, which in the future will not affect either the health or well-being of the baby.