Urachal anomalies
The urachus is a tube that is present in fetuses to connect the bladder to the umbilicus (the point where babies are attached to the umbilical cord). As the child grows, the urachus normally closes. In rare cases, it fails to close. When this happens, the open area is vulnerable to infections, cysts, and other problems.
What are symptoms of urachal anomalies?
Children with urachal anomalies may have frequent urinary tract infections, blood in the urine, excessive discharge from the belly button, abdominal pain, or sometimes abdominal swelling.
How is it treated?
First, antibiotics will be administered to your child so any infection in the urachus can be eliminated. Then, the remnants of urachal tissue must be removed during surgery. This surgery may be performed laparoscopically, which means that very small incisions are used to remove the urachal tissue. These small incision sites mean your child experiences less pain and recovers more quickly from the surgery.
About surgery for urachal anomalies at Children’s
The pediatric urology surgery team at Children’s provides next-generation care to neonatal infants, newborns, children, and adolescents from throughout the Upper Midwest. The team consistently performs some of the most cutting-edge surgical procedures available, including newborn surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and robotic surgery, when appropriate. Urologic surgery is performed at Children’s – Minneapolis, Children’s – St. Paul and Children’s – Minnetonka.
- If you are a family member looking for a Children’s specialist in urology surgery, please call the Center for Pediatric Urology at 1-800-992-6983.
- If you are a health professional looking for a consultation or referral information, please call Children’s Physician Access at 1-866-755-2121 (toll-free).
Return to Children’s pediatric urology surgery home page.