Oomphalitis

Specialties NICU

Published

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

I have been looking this up and cannot find much information. I assume this is infection of the umbilical cord. Apparently this is pretty rare, but when it does happen it can have severe complications. Please describe any cases you have observed, what were the signs and symptoms, how it can be prevented, and anything else that's pertinent. Thanks!!!!:D

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Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.

Good article here...very informative. Those complications are really scarey. I have never seen anything more than an omphalitis treated successfuly with the antibiotics. Don't want to!

http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic1641.htm

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Thanks for the site... very informative!

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Haven't seen it in a long time, but we did use hyperbaric therapy on the last kid--can't remember the outcome, sorry. They can be caused by anaerobic organisms, which can be very resistant to antibiotics.

Erythema @ the base of the umbilicus, purulent drainage, and/or a foul odor are the signs I teach parents. They are taught to call the MD right away.

(The nurse from the Hyperbaric Unit had never heard of it, either. All the way to the hospital, she kept thinking, what's an oompha, and how does it get infected?)

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Thanks, prmenrs. Will include this info in my lecture! :):)

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