Hernia of the cord (HOC) is a rare condition that results from failure of the viscera to return to the abdominal cavity by the 10th week of fetal development. It sometimes presents together with a patent omphalomesenteric duct (POMD), another rare condition, which occurs earlier in fetal development. A proportion of POMD cases may also have ileal prolapse (IP) through the POMD lumen. Neonates diagnosed with the combination of these rare clinical conditions require immediate surgical intervention to resect the POMD and non-viable bowel segments, reduce the hernia, and repair the umbilical defect. In this case series, we report two neonates diagnosed with HOC with POMD and IP. One patient who had complete IP was not fit for immediate surgery and died of respiratory distress and sepsis. The other patient had a successful surgical correction of the congenital defects, but succumbed to sepsis postoperatively. Treatment of patients with this combination of clinical conditions should focus mainly on both surgical correction, and infection control and management.
Hernia, Umbilical ; Neonatal Sepsis