Omphalocele is a rare condition; its prevalence is approximately 3.38 per 10,000 pregnancies.
Here's a breakdown of what that means:
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What is Omphalocele? Omphalocele is a birth defect where the infant's intestines, liver, or other abdominal organs protrude through an opening in the belly button. These organs are covered by a thin, translucent sac.
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Why it's considered rare: The occurrence of 3.38 cases per 10,000 pregnancies translates to roughly 1 in 3,000 pregnancies being affected. This relatively low number classifies it as a rare congenital condition.
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Key characteristics:
- The abdominal organs are covered by a membrane. This differentiates it from gastroschisis, another abdominal wall defect, where the organs are not covered.
- The defect occurs at the base of the umbilical cord.
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Data Interpretation: While 3.38 per 10,000 is the reported prevalence, individual regions and populations may exhibit slightly different rates due to various genetic and environmental factors.
