Patient's question:
Pregnancy was initially treated with progesterone injections and vitamin E supplements. The fetus delivered via the abdomen was diagnosed with a giant omphalocele. What are the causes of fetal omphalocele? What should be noted when planning for the next pregnancy? Does the mother lack something in the case of fetal omphalocele?Doctor's answer:
Omphalocele, also known as umbilical hernia or embryonic umbilical cord hernia, is a congenital abdominal wall defect. It refers to a portion of the intestine protruding through a defect in the umbilical abdominal wall at birth; the protruding intestine is covered by a transparent membrane composed of amnion and peritoneum. It is caused by developmental abnormalities of the umbilical cord and abdominal wall tissues during fetal development, leading to the herniation of abdominal organs into the outer membrane of the umbilical cord. It is associated with chromosomal abnormalities, and 30% to 50% of affected children have other congenital malformations, with malrotation of the intestine, bicuspid aortic valve ear diverticulum, intestinal atresia, and intestinal stenosis being the most common.