Umbilical cysts on the cord can indicate a problem with the fetus, but not all are dangerous. Doctors may request follow-up tests and genetic testing, and a C-section may be recommended for delivery. Parents cannot prevent cysts, but a thorough evaluation can help with treatment and management.
Umbilical cysts are pockets of tissue or fluid on an umbilical cord that can appear anywhere along its length and are sometimes indicators of a problem with the fetus. A doctor can identify a cyst during an ultrasound exam and may request follow-up tests to learn more about what’s inside the cyst and if it’s a cause for concern. In some cases, it may not be a problem and the mother may be able to deliver her baby safely and with minimal risk.
There are two broad categories of umbilical cysts: true and false cysts. True cysts tend to contain umbilical cells, and false umbilical cysts are typically filled with fluid, often derived from Wharton’s jelly that normally insulates the umbilical cord. The prognosis for the patient can vary depending on the type of cyst, and doctors may want to determine if it is possible to obtain a biopsy sample from the cyst to verify its contents.
False cysts can be associated with congenital disorders. They are most common along the fetal end of the umbilical cord. If a doctor finds umbilical cysts in this area, they may recommend some genetic tests to determine if the mother carries deleterious genes. Your doctor may also recommend testing the developing fetus for signs of a disorder. It may also be advisable to consider a C-section for delivery, because the cyst may rupture during labor and delivery and could put the mother and baby at risk.
If the fetus has a congenital condition, the doctor and patient can discuss options. It can be difficult to determine how severe a condition is in utero, and the doctor may tell the mother the range of presentations seen with the disorder to give her an idea of what she might expect. Mothers-to-be may also find it helpful to contact support groups and research organizations to find out more about the level of care your baby may require and what kind of quality of life she may have.
As with many unforeseen events during pregnancy, there is nothing specific parents can do to prevent umbilical cysts. These growths can develop for a wide variety of reasons, but environmental factors that can be controlled by the parent are generally not among them. It’s important for a doctor to evaluate a cyst and be aware that not all of them are dangerous and that they don’t necessarily indicate that there will be a problem with the baby. A thorough evaluation can help the patient and the doctor decide how to proceed with the treatment and management of the pregnancy.
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