Fungus navel in newborns: causes, treatment, photo

Newborns are a group of people whose health needs to be carefully guarded. To this end, doctors observe newly emerged children in a specialized medical facility (perinatal centers), and then spend 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 parents of the baby are interested in his health, but also it is protected by the state. The most frequent diseases in the first days and weeks of the child's life are the navel fungus and omphalitis. They can be diagnosed even in the hospital. They are often found during the first month of life.

What is umbilical fungus?

Fungus of the navel in newborns is common. This disease is spread all over the world both among boys and girls. Usually, parents notice it when they bathe the baby and process the umbilical remnant. The high incidence of this part of the body in newborns is due to the fact that this place for a long time connected mother and child and promoted nutrition. In the first minutes of life, the umbilical cord is cut off, leaving a cult in its place. Normally it dries quickly and disappears. But in some cases, the wound is prolonged for a long time, because the infection gets into it. Fungus of the navel is a proliferation of granulation tissue. It develops as often as omphalitis. In some cases, granulations can become infected. This is due to the penetration of bacteria into the tissue. Then complications of the disease are possible.

Fungus of the navel in newborns: the reasons for the appearance

The proliferation of granulation tissue does not belong to infectious processes. Rather, it is considered an individual adaptive feature of the body. There are no definite reasons for the development of fungus. The proliferation of granulations is most often associated with a wide umbilical ring in the baby. After the stump disappears, the free space begins to fill with fungus. Another cause of its appearance may be a wide umbilical cord. Both these factors do not refer to pathological conditions, but are the characteristics of the organism. Nevertheless, the proliferation of granulation tissue itself is not considered the norm. Therefore, the navel fungus must be treated. Despite the fact that this disease is considered harmless, its complications are dangerous for the health of the baby.

How does the umbilical fungus develop?

The development of fungus means the appearance of excess granulation tissue, which begins to grow from the umbilical remnant. Predisposing factors include large body weight of the newborn, prematurity. The main reason is a wide umbilical ring. The development of granulation begins after the stump has fallen off. Normally, the umbilical cord quickly disappears. With the development of fungus from him remains a small part. This untreated umbilical residue gives rise to a granulation tissue that begins to fill the ring. The process can stop on its own without affecting the baby's condition. Nevertheless, this does not always happen. In some cases, the granulation fully fills the umbilical ring and begins to extend beyond it. This leads not only to a cosmetic defect, but also represents a danger. When the infection is attached, the umbilical ring inflammation develops - omphalitis. As a result, bacteria can enter the arterial blood and cause sepsis.

Symptoms of the navel fangus

The clinical picture of the navel fungus depends on the degree of growth of the granulations. At the initial stage of the disease, symptoms are almost absent. Noticeably only a slight increase in the umbilical remainder inside the ring. With further growth of the 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. Education 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 the condition. In newborns, these symptoms are expressed in tearfulness when handling the navel, bad sleep, rejection of the breast. These manifestations should alert parents, as they are often observed in the development of omphalitis.

Diagnosis of fungus in newborns

Fungus is often confused with other diseases of the umbilical wound. Among them, catarrhal and purulent omphalitis, hernia protrusion, lipoma. When diagnosing it is important to conduct a thorough survey of the parents of the baby. It is necessary to find out how long the growth of granulation tissue began, whether the fungus increases in size, how the child reacts to bathing and processing the umbilical region. It is also important to find out the presence of other symptoms. A sharp deterioration in the child's condition often speaks of complications that have developed against the background of the fungus. If the inflammation develops in the umbilical wound, then the following symptoms are added:

1. Appearance of serous or purulent discharge.
2. Hyperemia and edema.
3. Soreness when pressing on the fungus area. Expressed crying, sharp mobility of the baby.
4. Raise body temperature.
5. Breastfeeding.

These symptoms are dangerous for newborns. When they appear, you should immediately seek medical help. Laboratory investigations are performed in the hospital. With uncomplicated fungus in the OAK and OAM changes are not observed. If there are inflammatory phenomena (leukocytosis, acceleration of ESR), then it means that omphalitis has developed. In this case, the analysis is taken from the umbilical wound to isolate the pathogen of inflammation and prescribe a treatment. In some cases, fungus can be confused with other formations. If the doctor has doubts, the ultrasound of the soft abdominal tissues is performed. Most often, the doctor quickly diagnoses the navel fungus in newborns. Photos of this pathology are placed in the special medical literature on neonatology. Nevertheless, parents should not draw conclusions on their own. If granulation occurs, consult a doctor.

Fungus navel in a newborn: how to treat the disease?

The choice of the method of treatment of 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 must be disposed of. In most cases, for this purpose, the granulations are burned with nitrogen, silver lapis. If there is a navel fungus in newborns, the treatment (operation) is performed in the department of pediatric surgery. The child should 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

Fungus of the navel can not be foreseen in advance, since its appearance depends on individual characteristics. Nevertheless, it is possible to prevent inflammatory changes that develop against its background. To do this, it is necessary to monitor the baby's condition, bathe the newborn every day, and process the umbilical wound with a solution of hydrogen peroxide. When inflammation occurs, consult a doctor.

Complications and disease prognosis

Complication of fungus is omphalitis. Inflammation of the umbilical wound is very dangerous, as it is one of the main causes of 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, education must be removed.