BACKGROUND: The umbilicus is a simple scar that obliterates the portal through which the omphalomesenteric duct connected the primitive gut to the yolk sac; through which the intestine was expelled prior to its rotation; through which passed the umbilical arteries and vein; at which the allantosis attached to the early urinary bladder; and at which the umbilical cord that carried these structures was fused to the body wall. The umbilicus is situated at the level of L3 to L4 in the midline of the abdomen. It's shape, size, and configuration vary greatly related to age and sex. Deramtoses of the umbilicus are umbilical hernia, congenital abnormalities, granulomas, omphalith, infections, eczema and tumors. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the umbilical shape and size related to age and sex and diseases of the umbilicus. METHODS: During a 6-month-period from May to October, 1998, 420 person's umbilical shapes and size were examined with regard to age and sex. The diseases of the umbilicus were evaluated, too. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: 1. The mean vertical diameter of the umbilicus is 1.89+/-0.65cm and the mean transverse diameter is 1.98+/-0.86cm. The mean diameter of umbilicus in women(vertical: 1.98+/-0.73cm, transverse: 2.07+/-0.99cm) is larger than the mean diameter of umbilicus in men(vertical: 1.80+-0.53cm, transverse: 1.89+/-0.66cm)(p<0.05). 2. The vertical diameter of umbilicus in both sexes showed increasing aspect until the 30-39 year old group, and the transverse diameter of umbilicus in both sexes showed increasing aspect until the 40-49 year old group. 3. The shapes of umbilicus were divided into the protruded type and the depressed type. Most of our cases showed the depressed type. The protruded types were more in the 0-9 year old group(23%) than other year old groups. The shapes of umbilicus were divided into the round type and the elliptical type, too. The elliptical type(transverse diameter>vertical diameter) is more than the elliptical type(vertical diameter>transverse diameter) in men, and the elliptical type(vertical diameter>transverse diameter) is more than the elliptical type(transverse diameter>vertical diameter) in women. 4. The diseases of the umbilicus are allergic contact dermatitis(6 cases), pityriasis rosea(5 cases), psoriasis(3 cases), scabies(3 cases), rhus dermatitis(2 cases), pemphigus(2 cases), drug eruption(1 case), and insect bite(1 case).
Abdomen ; Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Eczema ; Female ; Gastrula ; Granuloma ; Hernia, Umbilical ; Humans ; Insects ; Intestines ; Male ; Pityriasis ; Rhus ; Umbilical Arteries ; Umbilical Cord ; Umbilicus ; Urinary Bladder ; Veins ; Vitelline Duct ; Yolk Sac

PURPOSE: Single umbilical artery (SUA) is the most common malformation of the umbilical cord. However, there have been no studies on the ocular findings in SUA, except for one case report. This study aimed to investigate the ocular findings in children with SUA. METHODS: Fourteen children (eight boys and six girls) with SUA were evaluated retrospectively. All children underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination. RESULTS: The prevalence of abnormal ocular findings in children was up to 42.9%. Refractive errors are detected in four eyes (14.3%): myopia > or =-1.50 diopters (D) in one eye (3.6%) and hyperopia > or =+2.00 D in three eyes (10.7%). Epiblepharon was found in three children (21.4%), and strabismus was detected in one child (7.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the children with SUA showed abnormal ocular findings, therefore, our case series highlight the need for a comprehensive ocular examination and larger prospective research studies in young patients with SUA.
Child, Preschool ; Eyelid Diseases/*congenital/epidemiology ; Eyelids/*abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperopia/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Infant ; Male ; Myopia/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Single Umbilical Artery/*epidemiology ; Strabismus/*epidemiology ; Umbilical Arteries/*abnormalities

PURPOSE: To compare birth weight between infants with a single umbilical artery (SUA) and normal infants, investigate the associated anomalies of infants with SUA and isolated SUA (no abnormality of external appearance on birth, except SUA), and determine the prognosis of infants with isolated SUA. METHODS: Live-born infants with SUA (n=59) detected by physical examination from among 15,193 live births in seven university hospitals in Korea between January 1, 2004, to August 1, 2007, were reviewed retrospectively, with 236 normal infants serving as the control group. RESULTS: A statistical difference was observed between the groups in birth weight and in vitro fertilization. The incidence of infants with SUA was 0.37%. Congenital malformations were observed in 21 infants with cardiovascular (n=15, 25.4%), gastrointestinal (n=2, 3.4%), genitourinary (n=9, 15.3%), neuromusculoskeletal (n=6, 10.2%), central nervous system (n=1, 1.7%), chromosomal (n=1, 1.7%), and other (n=3, 5.1%) abnormalities. There were 49 (83.1%) infants with isolated SUA in this study population; among them, the associated congenital malformations were cardiovascular (n=6, 12.2%) and genitourinary (n=6, 12.2%) abnormalities. Two infants with cyanotic heart disease were operated and four infants with acyanotic heart disease showed improvements without any treatment. Six infants with genitourinary abnormalities on renal ultrasound had mild hydronephrosis without further consequences. CONCLUSION: The incidence of structural abnormalities in the cardiovascular and genitourinary systems is high and the genitourinary anomalies associated with isolated SUA have relatively good prognosis.
Birth Weight ; Central Nervous System ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Heart Diseases ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Incidence ; Infant ; Korea ; Live Birth ; Parturition ; Physical Examination ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Single Umbilical Artery ; Umbilical Arteries ; Urogenital Abnormalities ; Urogenital System

BACKGROUNDUmbilical cord around neck, a common obstetric complication, affects fetal hemodynamics. Does it influence fetal cardiac functions? The purpose of this study was to investigate the left and right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions of fetuses with umbilical cord around neck in the third trimester by applying velocity vector imaging (VVI).

METHODSThirty-five cases of fetuses with umbilical cord around neck whose gestational ages from 35 to 40 weeks were selected, including 20 cases of umbilical artery ratio of the highest systolic velocity (S) to the lowest diastolic velocity (D) (S/D) < 3.0 and 15 cases of umbilical artery S/D ≥ 3.0, while 20 cases of normal fetuses of 35 - 40 gestational weeks were selected as the control group. The changes in longitudinal velocity, strain, and strain rate of fetal left and right ventricle in systole and diastole in two groups, and the changes in fetal cardiac function under the situation of umbilical cord around neck were analyzed.

RESULTSLongitudinal strain and strain rate overall of fetal left and right ventricle in systole and diastole were less in fetuses with umbilical artery S/D (3)3.0 and umbilical cord around neck than those in fetuses with umbilical artery S/D < 3.0 and those in control group (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in longitudinal strain and strain rate overall of fetal left and right ventricle in systole and diastole between fetuses with umbilical artery S/D < 3.0 and those in control group.

CONCLUSIONSLeft and right ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction was detected in fetuses with umbilical cord around neck and umbilical artery S/D (3)3.0. VVI could sensitively respond to cardiac function changes in fetuses with umbilical cord around neck, which provides another valuable method in the evaluation of fetal cardiac function.

Adult ; Female ; Fetus ; abnormalities ; physiopathology ; Gestational Age ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Umbilical Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Umbilical Cord ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Young Adult