Abdominal Wall Defects

Definition

Abdominal wall defects are birth (congenital) defects that allow the stomach or intestines to protrude.

Description

Many unexpected and fascinating events occur during the development of a fetus inside the womb. The stomach and intestines begin development outside the baby's abdomen and only later does the abdominal wall enclose them. Occasionally, either the umbilical opening is too large, or it develops improperly, allowing the bowels or stomach to remain outside or squeeze through the abdominal wall.

Causes and symptoms

There are many causes for birth defects that still remain unclear. Presently, the cause(s) of abdominal wall defects is unknown, and any symptoms the mother may have to indicate that the defects are present in the fetus are nondescript.

Diagnosis

At birth, the problem is obvious, because the base of the umbilical cord at the navel will bulge or, in worse cases, contain viscera (internal organs). Before birth, an ultrasound examination may detect the problem. It is always necessary in children with one birth defect to look for others, because birth defects are usually multiple.

Treatment

Abdominal wall defects are effectively treated with surgical repair. Unless there are accompanying anomalies, the surgical procedure is not overly complicated. The organs are normal, just misplaced. However, if the defect is large, it may be difficult to fit all the viscera into the small abdominal cavity.

Prognosis

If there are no other defects, the prognosis after surgical repair of this condition is relatively good. However, 10% of those with more severe or additional abnormalities die from it. The organs themselves are fully functional; the difficulty lies in fitting them inside the abdomen. The condition is, in fact, a hernia requiring only replacement and strengthening of the passageway through which it occurred. After surgery, increased pressure in the stretched abdomen can compromise the function of the organs inside.

Prevention

Some, but by no means all, birth defects are preventable by early and attentive prenatal care, good nutrition, supplemental vitamins, diligent avoidance of all unnecessary drugs and chemicals—especially tobacco—and other elements of a healthy lifestyle.

Resources

Periodicals

Dunn, J. C., and E. W. Fonkalsrud. "Improved Survival of Infantswith Omphalocele." American Journal of Surgery 173 (April 1997): 284-7.

Key terms

Hernia — Movement of a structure into a place it does not belong.

Umbilical — Referring to the opening in the abdominal wall where the blood vessels from the placenta enter.

Viscera — Any of the body's organs located in the chest or abdomen.

Mentioned in	?		References in periodicals archive	?		Medical browser	?		Full browser	?
congenital malformation umbilical viscera	Repeat CT scans of the abdomen revealed recurrent bilateral lumbar hernias containing bowel and intraperitoneal fat (Figure 4) that necessitated definitive repair of the abdominal wall defects. Radiological case of the month: Barton F. Lane, MD and Clint W. ... by Lane, Barton F.; Sliker, Clint W. / Applied Radiology The rare condition causes enlargement of the internal organs and tongue, abdominal wall defects and increased growth. Grace knew when we were there by Evening Gazette (Middlesbrough, England) Subgroup analysis was carried out for two major groups where numbers of cases were reasonably large, namely, chromosomal anomalies (ICD-9 codes 7580-7589, ICD-10 codes Q900-Q999) and cardiovascular defects (ICD-9 codes 7450-7479, ICD-10 codes Q210-Q289) and also for abdominal wall defects (ICD-9 codes 7567, ICD-10 codes Q79. Risk of congenital anomalies after the opening of landfill sites by Senior, Martyn L. / Environmental Health Perspectives	abdominal prevertebral plexus abdominal pulse abdominal quadrant abdominal reflex abdominal reflexes abdominal region abdominal regions abdominal respiration abdominal ring abdominal salpingectomy abdominal salpingotomy abdominal section abdominal sounds abdominal splinting abdominal sponge abdominal surgery abdominal tap abdominal tenaculum abdominal testis abdominal thrust abdominal thrust maneuver Abdominal Ultrasound abdominal ultrasound test abdominal viscera abdominal wall Abdominal Wall Defects Abdominal Woman abdominal wound abdominal-jugular reflux abdominal-perineal resection abdominalgia abdomino- abdominocardiac reflex abdominocentesis abdominocyesis abdominocystic abdominogenital abdominohysterectomy abdominohysterotomy abdominoparacentesis abdominopelvic abdominopelvic cavity abdominoperineal Abdominoplasty abdominoscopy abdominoscrotal abdominothoracic abdominothoracic arch abdominovaginal abdominovesical abduce	abdominal testis abdominal testis abdominal testis abdominal threadworm abdominal threadworm abdominal threadworm abdominal thrust abdominal thrust abdominal thrust maneuver Abdominal Trauma Abdominal Trauma abdominal trier abdominal trier abdominal tunic abdominal tunic abdominal tunic Abdominal Ultrasound abdominal ultrasound test abdominal vascular accident abdominal viscera abdominal viscera Abdominal Visceral Fat abdominal visceral fat area Abdominal Volume Index abdominal wall abdominal wall abdominal wall abdominal wall Abdominal wall defect Abdominal wall defect Abdominal Wall Defects Abdominal Wall Fat Index abdominal wall rigidity abdominal wall rigidity Abdominal Woman Abdominal Women abdominal wound Abdominal x-ray abdominal-jugular reflux abdominal-perineal resection Abdominal-Wall Necrotizing Fasciitis Abdominales Abdominales abdominalgia Abdominalia abdominally abdominally Abdominally Positioned Left Ventricular Assist Device Abdominally Positioned Left Ventricular Assist System abdomino- abdominocardiac reflex abdominocentesis abdominocentesis abdominocentesis abdominocyesis abdominocyesis abdominocystic abdominogenital abdominohysterectomy abdominohysterectomy abdominohysterectomy

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

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congenital malformation
umbilical
viscera

Repeat CT scans of the abdomen revealed recurrent bilateral lumbar hernias containing bowel and intraperitoneal fat (Figure 4) that necessitated definitive repair of the abdominal wall defects.

Radiological case of the month: Barton F. Lane, MD and Clint W. ... by Lane, Barton F.; Sliker, Clint W. / Applied Radiology

The rare condition causes enlargement of the internal organs and tongue, abdominal wall defects and increased growth.

Grace knew when we were there by Evening Gazette (Middlesbrough, England)

Subgroup analysis was carried out for two major groups where numbers of cases were reasonably large, namely, chromosomal anomalies (ICD-9 codes 7580-7589, ICD-10 codes Q900-Q999) and cardiovascular defects (ICD-9 codes 7450-7479, ICD-10 codes Q210-Q289) and also for abdominal wall defects (ICD-9 codes 7567, ICD-10 codes Q79.

Risk of congenital anomalies after the opening of landfill sites by Senior, Martyn L. / Environmental Health Perspectives

abdominal prevertebral plexus

abdominal respiration

abdominal ring

abdominal salpingectomy

abdominal salpingotomy