Umbilical Cord Problems

• Delayed Umbilical Separation
  • Normal Time for cord separation = 1 – 8 weeks postnatal age.
  • Common Reasons for Delayed Separation:
    • h/o Neonatal Sepsis and antibiotic administration
    • h/o Prematurity
    • h/o C-Section delivery
    • h/o Low Birth Weight
  • Rare, yet most concerning reason for Delayed Separation:
    • Immuno-Deficiency – Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency type 1 (LAD-1)
      • Life-threatening
• Omphalitis
  • Infection of the remnant of the umbilical cord
  • More common in developing countries
  • Staph. aureus is most common organism cultured
  • Complication from:
    • Spontaneous Evisceration
    • Necrotizing Fasciiis of scrotum and/or penis
    • Peritonitis
    • Intra-abdominal abscesses
  • Early detection is paramount