Omphalocele: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Omphalocele?
A pediatric surgeon, a doctor who operates on babies and children, repairs an omphalocele. A neonatologist, a doctor who cares for sick or early-born newborns, also helps care for the baby. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is an omphalocele?
An omphalocele is a birth defect of the belly wall. The baby's intestines or other organs are outside the body because of a hole in the belly button area. The organs are covered by a thin, nearly clear sac that usually is intact at birth.
A small one has only some of the intestines outside the belly. A large one has many organs outside the belly.
An omphalocele looks similar to a condition called gastroschisis. An omphalocele is covered with a membrane. In gastroschisis, there is no covering membrane. Researchers estimate that about 1 in every 3,704 babies is born with omphalocele in the United States.
Symptoms
An omphalocele can be clearly seen, because the organs stick out through the belly button area. Babies with an omphalocele often have other birth defects. These include:
- Genetic problems.
- Heart defects.
- Kidney defects.
One problem is bowel death, called necrosis. It happens when intestinal tissue dies from low blood flow or infection. Infection is also a concern, especially if the sac around the organs is broken.
Causes and who gets it
The causes of omphalocele in most cases are unknown.
In early pregnancy, the intestines get longer and push out from the belly into the umbilical cord. By the eleventh week of pregnancy, the intestines normally go back into the belly. If this does not happen, an omphalocele occurs.
Some things may raise the chance of an omphalocele:
- Alcohol or heavy tobacco use before or during pregnancy.
- Obesity before pregnancy.
How doctors diagnose it
Prenatal ultrasounds often find an omphalocele before birth, usually by 20 weeks of pregnancy. It might also show up on a blood screening test during pregnancy. In some cases, it is not found until after the baby is born, when it is seen right away.
Testing is often not needed to diagnose an omphalocele. Babies with an omphalocele should be tested for other problems that often go with it. These include ultrasounds of the kidneys and heart, and blood tests for genetic disorders.
Treatment
Surgery is needed to treat an omphalocele, but it is not always done right away. The sac protects the organs. This may give doctors time to treat more serious problems, such as heart defects, first. Treatment depends on the size of the omphalocele, other birth defects, and how early the baby was born.
A small omphalocele usually is treated with surgery soon after birth. A large omphalocele may be repaired in stages. To close a larger one, doctors cover the sac with sterile mesh and stitch it in place. This is called a silo. As the baby grows, gravity pushes the organs into the belly over time. When the organs fit comfortably in the belly, the silo is removed and the belly is closed.
The baby may need support to breathe with a ventilator because of the pressure of returning the intestines. Other care includes nutrients by IV and antibiotics to prevent infection.
Sometimes an omphalocele is too large to put back inside the belly. The muscles and skin can be fixed when the child is older.
Complete recovery is expected after surgery for an omphalocele. But how well a child does depends on which other conditions the child has.
If an omphalocele is found before birth, the mother should be closely monitored to make sure the unborn baby stays healthy. Plans should be made for a careful delivery and care right after birth. The baby should be delivered in a medical center that is skilled at repairing abdominal wall defects.
When to see a doctor
An omphalocele is plain to see at birth. The hospital will find it at delivery if an ultrasound did not show it earlier. If you give birth at home and your baby seems to have this defect, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. After the baby is home, call 911 or go to the emergency room if a child has trouble or abnormal breathing, bluish or grey skin, or a lack of alertness. Also call the health care provider if your baby has any of these:
- Fewer bowel movements.
- Feeding problems.
- Fever.
- Green or yellowish green vomit.
- A swollen belly area.
- Vomiting that is different from normal baby spit-up.
- Worrisome changes in behavior.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can help a family keep track of follow-up visits and coordinate care between specialists after the hospital stay.
Common questions
What is the difference between an omphalocele and gastroschisis?
An omphalocele is covered with a membrane, but gastroschisis has no covering membrane.
Does an omphalocele need surgery?
Yes. Surgery is needed to put any organs back into the belly and close the opening. It is not always done right away.
Do babies with an omphalocele have other birth defects?
Often, yes. Babies born with an omphalocele often have other birth defects. How well a child does depends on which other conditions the child has.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
