Abdominal Wall Defects

An abdominal wall defect is a gap in the skin and muscles of the belly. The intestines come out through the gap and are exposed to air.

• Abdominal wall defects are birth defects that are visible right after birth

• Your baby's intestines bulge out through a gap in the belly

• The gap is usually in or near the belly button

• Sometimes the intestines are covered by a thin membrane

• If the intestines are not covered by a membrane, they can be irritated by amniotic fluid before birth

• Your baby will need surgery to put the intestines back in the belly and close the gap

Babies with abdominal wall defects often have other birth defects or genetic problems (such as Down syndrome).

Doctors usually find an abdominal wall defect during routine ultrasounds done during your pregnancy. If they don’t find the problem during your pregnancy, they will see it as soon as your baby is born.

Doctors will treat your baby’s abdominal wall defect as soon as your baby is born. They will:

• Use bandages to cover and protect the intestines

• Give fluids and antibiotics by vein

• Put a plastic tube down the nose to drain stomach juices

• Do surgery to put the intestines back into the belly and close the opening

Sometimes doctors must take a few days to slowly stretch the skin of the baby’s stomach before surgery so there’s enough skin to cover the opening. If a large amount of intestine is sticking out, they may move it back into the belly a little at a time over several days or weeks.