[The wet umbilicus: maybe not an umbilical granuloma?]

Three infants, 1 girl aged 10 months and 2 boys aged 2 and 4 months, presented with a discharging umbilicus directly or shortly after birth. Echography and cystography showed three different causes: a cystic remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct, a persistent urachus and a persistent omphalomesenteric duct. All were successfully managed surgically. The most common cause of a discharging umbilicus is an umbilical granuloma. This is usually treated by application of silver nitrate. In some patients, however, the discharge may not disappear or may contain urine or faecal material. These cases should be referred and echography performed. In case of an anomaly of the urachus or the omphalomesenteric duct, surgical exploration is mandatory. The lesion should be excised en bloc, together with a part of the bladder or the bowel.