Newborns are a population group whose health must be carefully protected. To this end, doctors observe children who have just appeared in a specialized medical institution (perinatal centers), and then they conduct patronage during the first month of life. At the slightest symptoms of the disease, newborns are hospitalized in a hospital. This proves that not only the baby's parents are interested in his health, but also it is protected by the state. The most common diseases in the first days and weeks of a child's life are navel fungus and omphalitis. They can be diagnosed in the hospital. More often they are found during the first month of life.
What is umbilical fungus?
Fungus of the navel in newborns is common. This disease is common throughout the world, both among boys and girls. Usually parents notice him when they bathe the baby and process the umbilical remainder. The high incidence of this part of the body in newborns is due to the fact that this place has been connecting the mother and the child for a long time and contributed to nutrition. In the first minutes of life, the umbilical cord is cut off, leaving a cult in its place. Normally, it dries quickly and falls off. But in some cases, the wound is delayed for a long time, as an infection gets into it. The navel fungus is an overgrowth of granulation tissue. It develops as often as omphalitis. In some cases, granulation can become infected. This is due to the penetration of bacteria into the tissue. Then complications of the disease are possible.
Fungus navel in newborns: causes
The growth of granulation tissue does not apply to infectious processes. Rather, it is considered an individual adaptive feature of the body. There are no specific reasons for the development of fungus. The growth of granulations is most often associated with a wide umbilical ring in a baby. After the stump disappears, the free space begins to be filled with fungus. Another reason for its appearance may be a wide umbilical cord. Both of these factors do not belong to pathological conditions, but are features of the body. Nevertheless, the proliferation of granulation tissue is not considered the norm. Therefore, the fungus of the navel must be treated. Despite the fact that this disease is considered harmless, its complications are dangerous to the baby's health.
How does umbilical fungus develop?
The development of fungus means the appearance of excess granulation tissue, which begins its growth from the umbilical cord. Predisposing factors include a large body weight of a newborn, prematurity. The main reason is the wide umbilical ring. The development of granulation begins after the stump has fallen. Normally, the umbilical cord residue quickly disappears. With the development of fungus, a small part remains from it. This unhealed umbilical cord residue gives rise to granulation tissue that begins to fill the ring. The process can stop on its own, without affecting the condition of the baby. However, this does not always happen. In some cases, granulations completely fill the umbilical ring and begin to go beyond it. This leads not only to a cosmetic defect, but also poses a danger. When an infection is attached, inflammation of the umbilical ring develops - omphalitis. As a result, bacteria can enter the arterial blood and cause sepsis.
Symptoms of fungus navel
The clinical picture of the navel fungus depends on the degree of granulation overgrowth. At the initial stage of the disease, the symptoms are practically absent. Only a slight increase in the umbilical remainder inside the ring is noticeable. With further growth of granulation tissue, a tumor-like formation is observed. First, it fills the umbilical ring, and then goes beyond it. As a result, there is a classic example of fungus - mushroom-like growth of granulations. The formation originates in the umbilical ring and can occupy a significant surface of the anterior abdominal wall. In addition to this symptom, the clinical picture of fungus is poorly expressed. In rare cases, there may be an increase in body temperature and a slight deterioration. In newborns, these symptoms are expressed in tearfulness when processing the navel, poor sleep, and refusal of the breast. These manifestations should alert parents, as they are often observed with the development of omphalitis.
Diagnosis of fungus in newborns
Fungus is often confused with other umbilical wound diseases. Among them, catarrhal and purulent omphalitis, hernial protrusion, lipoma. When diagnosing, it is important to conduct a thorough survey of the baby's parents. It is necessary to find out how long the growth of granulation tissue began, whether the fungus is growing in size, how the child reacts to bathing and treatment of the umbilical region. It is also important to find out if there are other symptoms. A sharp deterioration in the condition of the child often indicates complications that developed against the background of fungus. If inflammation develops in the umbilical wound, then the following symptoms join:
- The appearance of serous or purulent discharge.
- Hyperemia and edema.
- Soreness with pressure on the fungus area. It is expressed by crying, sharp mobility of the baby.
- Fever.
- Breast rejection.
These symptoms are dangerous for newborns. When they appear, you must urgently seek medical help. In the laboratory, laboratory tests are performed. With uncomplicated fungus in the UAC and OAM, no changes are observed. If there are inflammatory phenomena (leukocytosis, accelerated ESR), then this means that omphalitis has developed. In this case, the discharge from the umbilical wound is taken for analysis to identify the pathogen of inflammation and prescribe treatment. In some cases, fungus can be confused with other entities. If the doctor has doubts, an ultrasound of the soft tissues of the abdomen is performed. Most often, the doctor quickly diagnoses the fungus of the navel in newborns. Photos of this pathology are available in the special medical literature on neonatology. However, parents should not draw conclusions on their own. If granulations appear, consult a doctor.
Fungus navel in a newborn: how to treat a disease?
The choice of treatment for fungus depends on the size of the education and the general condition of the baby. For small granulations that do not tend to grow, observation is recommended. If the fungus increases, then it is necessary to get rid of it. In most cases, for this purpose, granulation is cauterized with nitrogen, silver lapis. If there is a navel fungus in newborns, treatment (surgery) is performed in the department of pediatric surgery. The child must be hospitalized and examined before the intervention. The operation consists in removing granulation tissue and washing the umbilical ring with antibiotic solutions.
Prevention of fungus in newborns
The navel fungus cannot be foreseen in advance, since its appearance depends on individual characteristics. Nevertheless, inflammatory changes that develop against its background can be prevented. To do this, you need to monitor the condition of the baby, daily bathe the newborn and treat the umbilical wound with a solution of hydrogen peroxide. In case of inflammation, consult a doctor.
Complications and prognosis of the disease
A complication of fungus is omphalitis. Inflammation of the umbilical wound is very dangerous, as it is one of the main reasons for the development of sepsis. In the absence of complications, fungus is not a serious pathology and usually does not affect the condition of the baby. Nevertheless, with the rapid growth of granulations, the formation must be removed.