Where is umbilical cord

The dark stripes within the cord in this picture are examples of intravascular clots -- a normal finding in newborns. In some cases, the vessels are so full of clotted blood that all three may be clearly identified as they wind around through the umbilical stump.

This infant is 19 hours old. The cord is beginning to dry and darken as it makes its transition into a non-functioning organ. After a couple of days, the cord is a stiff, dry stump. The bulge of skin around the edge is a normal variant and does not represent an abnormality. Just minutes after the cord falls off, some of the remaining moist debris is still visible on the skin.

A spot of blood or a slight amount of moist, yellow material may be present on the diaper or clothing after cord separation. Any bleeding or discharge that persists should be evauated, as this is not a normal finding. This cord is also about 7 hours old at the time of the photo, but the normal light yellow color is not visible, even though the cord is still plump.

This cord was stained by the presence of meconium in utero, which gives it a dark green color. When an infant shows signs of meconium staining, it is evidence that meconium has been present in the amniotic fluid for some time.

In addition to the umbilical cord, meconium staining is also frequently seen on the nails. When the umbilical ring is weak or large, an umbilical hernia can result. With increased abdominal pressure the infant was crying for this photo , a bulge of intra-abdominal contents through the ring can be seen. This does not require treatment, as most hernias of this type resolve spontaneously during the first year of life.

Complications, such as strangulation of bowel, are extremely rare. Surgical correction is only considered for those who have large defects that are still open at several years of age. In this view, the hernia has been reduced with slight digital pressure on the bulged area.

The infant is now quiet, and intra-abdominal pressure low, so the hernia is no longer visible. Parents are often concerned about the degree of elevation of the bulge, but the severity of the hernia is determined solely by the size of the umbilical ring. The visibility of the bulge is related to intra-abdominal pressure and is therefore constantly changing.

The redness superior to the umbilical cord in this photo is simply irritation from the hard, dry umbilical stump rubbing against the abdomen. Because omphalitis an infection of the cord itself is a dangerous condition, redness in this area should be carefully evaluated.

However, the localized nature of the redness here, along with the fact that it is somehat removed from the actual insertion of the cord and appears very superficial is reassuring that infection is not the underlying etiology. When "dry cord care" is the standard practice no application of alcohol or triple dye , there are a number of infants who have a small rim of erythema around the drying cord.

Although this should be monitored to be sure progression does not occur to omphalitis, this minimal redness is thought to be related to the normal wbc infiltration that occurs naturally in the process of cord separation. These otherwise well infants do not need evaluation. For comparison, this is the appearance of a full-blown case of omphalitis.

The progression of erythema over time can be clearly seen from the circles marked on the abdomen. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn How this information was developed. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.

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Topic Overview After the umbilical cord is cut at birth, a stump of tissue remains attached to your baby's belly button navel. Cleaning Keeping the area clean and dry You can help your baby's umbilical cord stump fall off and heal faster by keeping it dry. Keep your baby's diaper folded below the umbilical cord stump. If folding does not work well, try cutting out an area in the front of the diaper before you put it on your baby to keep the stump exposed to air. It also helps prevent diaper contents, such as urine, from irritating the stump.

Many baby baths are gently sloped. This helps you position your baby for a bath. Knowing what to expect Most umbilical cord stumps look worse than they really are. Right after birth, an umbilical cord stump usually looks white and shiny and may feel slightly damp. As the stump dries and heals, it may look brown, grey, or even black. This is normal. Usually no problems will develop as long as you keep the area clean and dry.

The umbilical cord stump usually falls off in 1 or 2 weeks. If an immediate family member is in need of stem cells for treatment, there is a good chance that stored cord blood could be a match. Enroll Get Info Pack. Understanding The Umbilical Cord May 15, Here we look at the physiology and function of the umbilical cord. Umbilical Cord Physiology At full term, an umbilical cord is about half a meter long, a length that allows the baby to move around safely.

At birth, the umbilical cord is cut and the leftover bit becomes the belly button. After birth, the placenta detaches from the uterus and is expelled.