When you look at your little baby's crotch, have you noticed that it's wet, or has a small wet spot? Sometimes it can also have a slight odor. It's normal for any mother of a newborn to be a little scared when she sees something like this. One reason for this could be a problem with something called the 'urachus'. Don't be scared by the name, this is not as serious as you think. Let's talk about this simply and clearly today.
Simply put, what is this Urachus?
Imagine, when your baby is in your womb, there is a small tube-like part that runs from his urinary bladder to his belly button. That's what we call the Urachus. Its main function is to carry the baby's urine out of his body during the first few weeks of pregnancy. It works like a temporary water pipe.
As the baby grows inside the womb, his urinary system develops properly. Then the need for this urachus disappears. Therefore , most of the time, before the baby is born, within the first three months of pregnancy, this tube closes automatically and becomes a fibrous cord. In medicine, we call this the median umbilical ligament.
So remember, the urachus is a normal thing that exists during the baby's pregnancy and will close on its own later.
So, are the Urachus one and the umbilical cord two?
Yes, these are two completely different things. Many people confuse this.
- Urachus: This is located inside the baby's body . It is a tube that connects the baby's bladder and the uterus.
- Umbilical Cord: This is located outside the baby's body . It is through this that the baby receives oxygen and nutrients from the mother.
Simply put, in the early stages, urine that comes through the urachus passes through the umbilical cord and is excreted into the mother's body. So even though these two work together, they are two separate parts.
What happens if this tube doesn't close properly?
This is where we need to be concerned. Sometimes, very rarely, this Urachus tube does not close completely before the baby is born. We call this condition Urachal Remnant or Urachal Abnormality. There are four main types of this.
| Condition Name | What happens with this? (Simply) |
|---|---|
| Patent Urachus | This is when the duct is completely open. This means that there is a path from the bladder to the bladder. This can cause urine to leak from the baby's bladder . This can be more noticeable when the baby cries or coughs. |
| Urachal Cyst (tumor) | What happens here is that both the bladder and the navel sides of the tube become blocked, and fluid collects in the middle , forming a cyst. There are usually no symptoms. However, if this is infected, you may experience abdominal pain, fever, and redness near the navel. |
| Urachal Sinus | In this case, the bladder side of the tube is closed, leaving only the pelvic side open. It's like a small tube with one side closed. This can also cause a continuous, wet, pus-like fluid to come out of the pelvis. It can also cause infections. |
| Diverticulum | What happens here is that the pelvic side of the tube is closed and the bladder side is open. A small sac-like part forms outside the bladder. Most of the time there are no symptoms. However, urine can accumulate inside this sac and cause frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) . |
How do doctors find out if a baby has this kind of problem?
When you report a wet diaper rash, the doctor will first examine the baby carefully. Then, they may do several tests to confirm the condition.
- Ultrasound Scan: This is the most common test. It allows you to look at the organs inside the baby's body without any pain. It can easily check if the urachus tube is blocked or if there is a tumor.
- MRI Scan: Sometimes, this test may be performed if a clearer picture is needed.
- Fluid test: A sample of fluid from the bladder is taken and tested for the presence of chemicals called urea and creatinine, which are found in urine. If they are present, it can be confirmed that the urine is coming from the bladder.
- VCUG (Voiding Cystourethrogram): This is a special test. In this, a special liquid (dye) is passed through the urethra into the bladder, and the flow of the liquid is observed with an X-ray. This can accurately determine whether the liquid is leaking through the urachus.
There is also talk about a dangerous condition called urachal cancer. What is it?
It's good to be aware of this, but don't be unnecessarily alarmed. Urachal cancer is a very rare type of bladder cancer. It can develop from pieces of urachus tissue that remain after birth without closing.
This condition is most common in adults over the age of 50. The risk is very low in young children. Symptoms include:
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Mucus-like material in the urine (mucinuria)
- Stomach pain
- A lump in the stomach
Even if you have these symptoms, they don't always mean you have cancer. But if you see something like this, it's important to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
What are the treatments for this?
The treatment for this depends on the symptoms and nature of the condition.
- Chemical Cauterization: To treat a small wound or sore on your baby's belly button, your doctor may apply a chemical called silver nitrate to the area. This will dry out the area and help it heal.
- Antibiotics: If a urachal cyst or sinus becomes infected with bacteria, antibiotics are given to treat it.
- Surgery: For conditions like Patent Urachus and Urachal cysts after the infection has healed, the only permanent solution is to have surgery to completely remove the remaining Urachus tube. This helps to completely eliminate the risk of future infections and the very rare risk of cancer.
This surgery is usually very successful. Most people can live a normal life without any problems after the surgery.
Take-Home Message
- If your baby's navel is constantly wet, has a foul odor, or is red, don't ignore it. See a doctor, especially a pediatrician, as soon as possible.
- The urachus is a normal part of the baby's body during pregnancy. Sometimes problems arise when it doesn't close properly.
- Many of these conditions can be completely cured with treatment, so don't be unnecessarily afraid.
- The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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