What is "omphalocele"

Omphalocele \Om"pha*lo*cele`\, n. [Gr. ? the navel + ? a tumor: cf. F. omphaloc['e]le.] (Med.) A hernia at the navel.

alt. A hernia of the navel n. A hernia of the navel

n. protrusion of the intestine and omentum through a hernia in the abdominal wall near the navel; usually self correcting after birth [syn: umbilical hernia]

An omphalocele ( British English: omphalocoele) is a rare abdominal wall defect in which the intestines, liver, and occasionally other organs remain outside of the abdomen in a sac because of a defect in the development of the muscles of the abdominal wall (exomphalos). Omphalocele occurs in 1/4,000 births and is associated with a high rate of mortality (25%) and severe malformations, such as cardiac anomalies (50%) and neural tube defect (40%). Approximately 15% of live-born infants with omphalocele have chromosomal abnormalities. About 30% of infants with an omphalocele have other congentital abnormalities.