A small amount of mucus or purulent discharge from the umbilical stump

Introduction The umbilical cord is the passage for the fetus to supply fetal nutrients and fetal excretion waste in the mother. After the fetus is born, the umbilical cord loses its physiological function. The umbilical cord that is ligated is usually 3 to 7 days after birth (or longer, depending on the umbilical method). The umbilical cord is red when the umbilical cord is first cut, slightly moist, and completely healed after a few days. Forming the umbilical fossa, a small amount of mucus or purulent secretions at the umbilical stump indicates that bacteria invade the umbilical fossa and form inflammation.

Cause

Because the umbilical cord fracture is left after the umbilical cord is ligated, often due to the incomplete disinfection of the newborn, the umbilical fossa bacteria multiply, which causes inflammation, and a small amount of mucus or purulent secretion is formed at the umbilical stump.

an examination

Related inspection

Blood routine direct smear examination

The initial symptom is that the wound is delayed and there is a discharge after the umbilical cord falls off, and there is a small amount of mucus or purulent secretion at the umbilical stump. In severe cases, there may be symptoms of cellulitis such as redness, swelling, heat, and pain. There are more purulent secretions, lightly pressing the umbilical cord, and pus flows out from the umbilicus and has an odor. Generally, the systemic symptoms are mild.

Differential diagnosis

Clinically often differentiated from neonatal sepsis.

Neonatal sepsis refers to the systemic infection caused by bacteria invading the blood circulation in the neonatal period and reproducing and producing toxins, and sometimes it also produces migration lesions within the body. It is still a very important disease in the neonatal period, and its incidence rate is about 110 of live births, and the incidence rate is higher in premature infants. Bacteremia refers to the rapid removal of bacteria after invading the human body, without toxemia, without any symptoms.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.