The smell of the navel in children is a fairly common occurrence. This is due to a number of diseases, but most often the fault is with fistulas or a cyst. They are formed when the urinary and bile ducts are not completely overgrown, but, as a rule, close at an early age. In the case when these ducts are not overgrown, umbilical-intestinal fistula may occur in the umbilical region . Soon, mucus begins to secrete through it.
Fistulas are incomplete and complete. Incomplete fistula is more common. It manifests itself in the form of a slightly weeping navel, but the skin around it is quite irritated. Fistula from the inside lined by the mucous membrane. It is its course that enables the specialist to make a preliminary diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
It happens that the umbilical wound does not heal for a long time, mucous discharge comes from it . This is one of the symptoms of a congenital navel disease. In this case, it is difficult to distinguish a bile duct fistula from a urinary fistula, because there are no characteristic, distinctive signs. It is also difficult to recognize an incomplete fistula from a complete one, but to clarify the diagnosis, probing is performed, as well as an x-ray of the fistulous entrance. It is difficult to achieve full overgrowth of the fistula in a conservative way, but this can be corrected with surgical intervention. In this case, a fistula is excised and then defects in the walls of the intestines and bladder are sutured.
There are congenital umbilical fistulas that differ from those acquired. Incorrectly applied ligature when bandaging the navel in newborns can cause the formation of chronic umbilical fistula. That is why sometimes it stinks from the navel in some babies.
Natural healing of the umbilical ring in newborns does not always occur, especially in premature babies, which is why the smell from the navel appears. The upper half of the umbilical ring is especially inflamed in the abdominal wall. This is where the umbilical vein passes, which is surrounded by loose fiber. And when these tissues and places are irritated, a rather unpleasant smell from the navel in children begins to stand out.
When the baby begins to cry, there is tension in the abdominal muscles. This leads to a prolapse of the intestinal wall (that is, a secret is released under the influence of intra-abdominal pressure). That's why the smell appears from the navel of the child.
After the umbilical cord disappears, and the ligated section of the intestinal wall becomes dead, an intestinal fistula begins to develop, from which an unpleasant spirit begins to emanate. There are times when the vermiform appendix falls into the ligature and this can also be the reason why the navel stinks. And when the fistula formed in this way becomes chronic, this adversely affects the overall well-being of the child.
The smell from the navel of children appears in the case when umbilical fistula is formed as a result of intraperitoneal inflammation. It will be especially strong with the formation of an abscess. When it is opened, purulent discharge comes out, and an unpleasant odor from the navel appears. So, umbilical fistulas of the urinary, gall bladders, small and large intestines, and even the stomach can also arise.
After the birth of a baby, the navel during the healing of the umbilical cord cutting site becomes the most vulnerable spot. Therefore, during the first two years of the baby’s life, each mother should monitor the healing process of the navel and prevent its inflammation, and especially the formation of a fistula and the appearance of a smell. In order to prevent painful phenomena in this place, parents should know what changes can occur in the navel of the child during this period. In the event of a fistula, cyst, or the appearance of odors, you should always consult a doctor.