Overview
Congenital urachal anomaly is a condition present from birth that involves the urachus, a small tube-like structure that connects the bladder to the belly button (umbilicus) during fetal development. Normally, the urachus closes and becomes a solid cord (called the median umbilical ligament) before or shortly after birth. When this closure does not happen properly, it leads to a urachal anomaly. There are several types of urachal anomalies. A patent urachus means the entire tube stays open, allowing urine to leak from the belly button. A urachal cyst occurs when a pocket of fluid forms in the middle of the urachus. A urachal sinus is an opening at the belly button end, and a urachal diverticulum is an opening at the bladder end. Symptoms depend on the type and can include drainage or wetness at the belly button, infections, abdominal pain, or urinary problems. Many cases are found in newborns or infants, but some are not discovered until childhood or adulthood when complications like infection arise. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the urachal remnant, especially if there are symptoms or recurrent infections. In uncomplicated cases, the outlook after surgery is excellent. Rarely, urachal remnants left untreated into adulthood can be associated with a type of bladder cancer called urachal carcinoma, though this is very uncommon.
Key symptoms:
Wetness or drainage from the belly buttonUrine leaking from the belly buttonRedness or swelling around the belly buttonBelly button infectionAbdominal pain, especially in the lower bellyA lump or mass felt below the belly buttonFever due to an infected cystFoul-smelling discharge from the belly buttonUrinary tract infectionsDifficulty with urinationDelayed healing of the umbilical cord stump in newborns
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Congenital urachal anomaly.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Congenital urachal anomaly.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Congenital urachal anomaly.
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Caregiver Resources
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Family & Caregiver Grants
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Social Security Disability
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What type of urachal anomaly does my child (or do I) have?,Is surgery necessary, or can we safely monitor this condition?,What are the risks of surgery versus leaving the anomaly untreated?,Can the surgery be done using minimally invasive techniques?,How long is the expected recovery after surgery?,Is there any risk of this condition coming back after surgery?,Should we be concerned about any long-term complications, including cancer risk?
Common questions about Congenital urachal anomaly
What is Congenital urachal anomaly?
Congenital urachal anomaly is a condition present from birth that involves the urachus, a small tube-like structure that connects the bladder to the belly button (umbilicus) during fetal development. Normally, the urachus closes and becomes a solid cord (called the median umbilical ligament) before or shortly after birth. When this closure does not happen properly, it leads to a urachal anomaly. There are several types of urachal anomalies. A patent urachus means the entire tube stays open, allowing urine to leak from the belly button. A urachal cyst occurs when a pocket of fluid forms in the
How is Congenital urachal anomaly inherited?
Congenital urachal anomaly follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.