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Leaking belly button...........
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OK some backround- When my son was born he had a minor belly button hernia (the umbilical cord took longer to heal than normal) we thought it had cleared up on it's own completely. Well last yeah we noticed his belly button was always crusty, he was 6 and we thought it just wasn't getting washed really well so we started watching and helping him bath for a while to teach him proper scrubbing. :) In the last few months (he's almost 8 now) we noticed that his belly button is leaking clear fluid and THAT is drying making the crusty stuff. (VERY small amount of fluid) also occasionally turns kinda red and we've noticed he's complaining off and on about it hurting.
Yesterday took him to the doc just to check it out- I thought no big deal maybe it didn't heal all the way as an infant and we'll just be told to watch it. Well that's exactly what the doctor told us that the umbilical cord bacsically heals into what is mostly a tendon inside the body and that sometimes the middle or core doesn't completely heal closed and that's all it is. Wash it normally watch for infection it will probably slowly heal on it's own. Then last night the doc calls me back and says he doesn't see that often and so did some research and that this condition can be quite serious. he wants us to do a follow-yo ultrasound/catscan to see WHERE his belly button attaches (most commonly to the bowels or bladder) to see what kind of fluid is leaking and if there are other abnomalites (which is also more common than not in this condition). We may need a referrral to a surgeon to correct this at the big children hospital. I'm not too worried yet since the doctor mentioned that since it's not much fluid he's not too confident that we will find anything during the tests. What DOES worry me is that the last few days my son has been throwing up- no fever and since the doc examined him and poked around has been complaing of his tummy hurting RIGHT where his belly button is and JUST barely north of it. So my questions are: has any heard of this/been through it? And does anyone know what it's called? I'd like to look up more information but the doctor never did say what it's called (not that could probably spell it any way LOL) Posted on 06/05/09, 11:06 am |
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it may be a yeast infection. I know this sounds wierd but males can get yeast infections. I will keep you and your son in my prayers. I wish you enough... 
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I've found out that it's possibly what is called urachal sinus. The belly button when it heals normally turns into what is essentially a solid tendon. With my son they theorize that is healed hollow and that is why it's leaking normal bodily fluid. There is a chance however that it's attached to his bowel or bladder and is leaking fluid from one of those places, if that is the case there is a likely hood that there are more abnormalites in the abdomen. We went in yesterday and spent most of the day in testing, high image ultrasound that only showed some free fluid under his abdomen "but not enough to really be worried about or to explain the leaking" we then did two different catscans (my son HATED those!) I'm still waiting for the results of these. We may end up in surgery to correct the problem if it is indeed leaking from a specific place.
Keeping my fingers crossed! PS even if it's not leaking from the bowels or bladder we still have to watch for nasty infections due to "what can get out can get in"
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My heart goes out to you. Its awful when you can't kiss it and make it all better. Stay strong and positive, Im sure it will be resolved. I wish you enough...
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I have never heard of it. I'm glad you posted this. How are things going now?
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U/S and catscan revealed nothing abnormal save some evidence of inflamation and a small amount of fluid under his belly button.
A few days later the leaking increased and hs belly button turned red. I took him again and the doc prescribed anti-biotics and anti-inflammitories. His belly button is much better with the medications. We return to see the doc in a few days to check his progress and talk about the long term. I let ya know what he says. :)
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can they surgically fix this so it wont cause any problems in the future? MAybe that is an option??
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I know it's been a few months, but did you ever get a true diagnosis? My daughter went through that for 5 years before they diagnosed her as having a "patent urachus," which means the tube between the bladder and her belly button didn't seal off by itself when she was born. She had surgery at 5. I only found this web site because she is now 12, and her belly is leaking again. Ug.
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I recieved no long term prognosis except to "keep an eye on it. Basically watch to see if it gets infected again. Luckily since summer ended we haven't seen anything abnormal. I'm wondering if all the swimming/sweating and playing outdoors had something to do with the leaking. Maybe encouraging bacteria to enter the belly button? I'm not sure but I'd hope that the catscans and ultrasounds would have shown us if the belly button were attached anywhere abnormal, although we do see a family doc and live VERY rurally so it's VERY possible for them to miss something that is not strictly a common thing. I hope your daughter gets better! I would love to hear your story, it's hard to find anyone who knows anything about this let alone someone else who's been through it.
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