The belly button, or navel, is a common human feature. Its presence is so common that it might seem impossible for someone to exist without one. This raises a question: is it truly possible to be born without this anatomical landmark?
The Umbilicus: Our First Scar
The navel serves as a reminder of our connection to our mother during development. Before birth, the umbilical cord functions as a lifeline, transporting oxygen-rich blood and nutrients from the placenta to the developing fetus. The umbilical cord begins to form around the third week of embryonic development and is fully established by the fifth week.
The cord connects directly to the fetus at the site that will eventually become the belly button. After birth, the umbilical cord is clamped and then cut, a painless procedure due to the absence of nerves in the cord itself. The small remaining stump on the baby’s abdomen then gradually dries and shrivels, eventually detaching on its own, within one to three weeks after birth. This process leaves behind the distinctive scar known as the navel, which has no functional purpose after birth.
Conditions That Alter Navel Formation
While a navel forms from prenatal development, certain rare congenital conditions can significantly alter its appearance. These are known as abdominal wall defects, where the abdominal wall does not properly close during fetal development. Surgical intervention is necessary, resulting in an atypical or seemingly absent navel.
Two conditions are omphalocele and gastroschisis. Omphalocele occurs when a baby’s intestines or other abdominal organs, such as the liver or stomach, protrude through a hole at the site of the belly button. These organs are contained within a translucent sac, an extension of the umbilical cord. This condition develops because intestines, which normally bulge into the umbilical cord during early pregnancy, fail to return into the abdominal cavity by the eleventh week of gestation. Omphalocele is often associated with other birth defects or genetic syndromes.
Gastroschisis involves organs, most commonly the intestines, protruding through a hole in the abdominal wall, usually beside the belly button to the right. A key difference is that with gastroschisis, the organs are not covered by a protective sac. This exposure to amniotic fluid in the womb can lead to irritation, inflammation, and potential damage to the organs. Gastroschisis is less frequently associated with other birth defects compared to omphalocele.
Both omphalocele and gastroschisis are considered rare birth defects. Gastroschisis affects approximately 2 to 6 out of every 10,000 newborns, while omphalocele is slightly less common, occurring in about 2 to 2.5 out of every 10,000 newborns. Diagnosis often occurs during prenatal ultrasounds. Upon birth, immediate surgical intervention is required to return the organs to the abdominal cavity and close the opening. Depending on the size and complexity of the defect, this repair may involve a single surgery or a series of staged procedures over several days or weeks.
Living with an Atypical Navel
Following surgical correction for conditions like omphalocele or gastroschisis, the area where the navel would be often appears as a flat scar. Instead of the familiar “innie” or “outie” shape, the skin and muscle have been brought together to close the abdominal wall defect. This altered appearance results from life-saving medical treatment received at or shortly after birth.
Pediatric surgeons aim to achieve the best possible cosmetic outcome, and in some cases, they may reconstruct a “false navel” or create an indentation to mimic the appearance of a belly button. This reconstruction can be part of the initial repair or performed at a later time. The goal of these surgeries is to ensure the baby’s survival and proper organ function.
Individuals with an atypical navel do not experience health issues directly related to its appearance. Ongoing health considerations are connected to the underlying congenital condition that necessitated surgical repair, rather than the unique scar itself. While the navel’s form may differ, it represents a successful medical journey and the ability to thrive despite complex beginnings.