What is Omphalomesenteric cyst?
An omphalomesenteric cyst (also called a vitelline cyst or vitello-intestinal cyst) is a rare birth defect that happens when a small tube connecting the baby's gut to the yolk sac during early pregnancy does not fully disappear as it should. Normally, this tube — called the omphalomesenteric duct or vitelline duct — closes and goes away before birth. When it does not close completely, a fluid-filled sac (cyst) can form along its path, usually somewhere between the belly button and the small intestine. This is one of several possible problems that can result from this duct not closing properly, alongside conditions like Meckel's diverticulum and umbilical sinuses. Most omphalomesenteric cysts are found in newborns or young infants, often noticed as a lump near the belly button or discovered during surgery or imaging for another reason. The cyst itself may cause no symptoms at first, but it can lead to serious problems such as a blocked or twisted bowel, infection, or bleeding if left untreated. The main treatment is surgery to remove the cyst. When the cyst is found and removed before complications develop, most children recover fully and go on to live healthy, normal lives. Early diagnosis is important to prevent dangerous complications.
Key symptoms:
A lump or swelling near the belly buttonAbdominal pain or crampingNausea and vomitingSwollen or bloated bellySigns of a blocked bowel (no stool, severe pain)Redness or discharge around the belly buttonFever if the cyst becomes infectedBlood in the stool (in some cases)Failure to pass gas or stool in a newborn
- Inheritance
- Sporadic
- Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
- Age of Onset
- Neonatal
- Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
Source: openFDA + DailyMed · NDA / BLA labels with structured indications · refreshed weekly
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Omphalomesenteric cyst.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced daily · phases, status, and PI names normalized at ingest
No actively recruiting trials found for Omphalomesenteric cyst at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Source: NPI Registry + PubMed · trial PI roles cross-referenced with ClinicalTrials.gov · ranked by match score (publications + PI activity + community signal)
Treatment Centers
8 centersSource: NORD Rare Disease Centers + NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) · centers verified active within last 12 months
Children's Hospital Colorado Rare Disease Program ↗
Children's Hospital Colorado
📍 Aurora, CO
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDBoston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program ↗
Boston Children's Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🏨 Children'sAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital Genetics ↗
Lurie Children's Hospital
📍 Chicago, IL
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏥 NORDCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ↗
Cincinnati Children's
📍 Cincinnati, OH
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏨 Children'sNationwide Children's Hospital Rare Disease Center ↗
Nationwide Children's Hospital
📍 Columbus, OH
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Omphalomesenteric cyst.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Omphalomesenteric cyst
Source: PubMed + NIH RePORTER + openFDA + clinical-journal RSS · last 30 days · disease-tagged at ingest by AI extraction with human QC
No recent news articles for Omphalomesenteric cyst.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How certain are you that this is an omphalomesenteric cyst, and what tests confirm it?,Does my child need surgery right away, or is it safe to wait and monitor?,What type of surgery is planned, and will any part of the bowel need to be removed?,What are the risks of surgery, and what complications should I watch for afterward?,Are there any other birth defects or conditions I should have my child checked for?,What is the recovery time, and when can my child return to normal activities?,What follow-up care will my child need after the cyst is removed?
Common questions about Omphalomesenteric cyst
What is Omphalomesenteric cyst?
An omphalomesenteric cyst (also called a vitelline cyst or vitello-intestinal cyst) is a rare birth defect that happens when a small tube connecting the baby's gut to the yolk sac during early pregnancy does not fully disappear as it should. Normally, this tube — called the omphalomesenteric duct or vitelline duct — closes and goes away before birth. When it does not close completely, a fluid-filled sac (cyst) can form along its path, usually somewhere between the belly button and the small intestine. This is one of several possible problems that can result from this duct not closing properly,
How is Omphalomesenteric cyst inherited?
Omphalomesenteric cyst follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Omphalomesenteric cyst typically begin?
Typical onset of Omphalomesenteric cyst is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Omphalomesenteric cyst?
5 specialists and care centers treating Omphalomesenteric cyst are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
Frequently asked questions about Omphalomesenteric cyst
Auto-generated from canonical disease facts (Orphanet, OMIM, ClinicalTrials.gov, openFDA, NPPES). Not a substitute for clinical guidance.
What is Omphalomesenteric cyst?
Omphalomesenteric cyst is a rare disease catalogued in international rare-disease ontologies (Orphanet ORPHA:490). It is typically inherited as sporadic. Age of onset is generally neonatal. For verified primary sources, see the UniteRare Omphalomesenteric cyst page.
How is Omphalomesenteric cyst inherited?
Omphalomesenteric cyst follows sporadic inheritance. Genetic counseling is recommended for affected families to understand recurrence risk in offspring and the likelihood of unaffected siblings being carriers. Variants in the underlying gene(s) may be identified via clinical genetic testing.
Are there FDA-approved treatments for Omphalomesenteric cyst?
Approved treatments for Omphalomesenteric cyst are tracked from openFDA and DailyMed primary sources. Many rare diseases have no specific FDA-approved therapy; for those, supportive care and management of complications form the basis of clinical care. Orphan-drug-designation status is noted where applicable.
Are there clinical trials for Omphalomesenteric cyst?
Active clinical trials for Omphalomesenteric cyst are tracked daily from ClinicalTrials.gov. Trial availability changes frequently; check the UniteRare trial listings for the current count and recruitment status. Sponsors of rare-disease research often welcome inquiries even when a trial is not actively recruiting at a given moment.
How do I find a specialist for Omphalomesenteric cyst?
UniteRare lists 5 verified clinicians with documented expertise in Omphalomesenteric cyst, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal-investigator records, PubMed publication histories, and the NPPES NPI registry. Filter by state or browse our state-specific specialist pages for nearby options.
See full Omphalomesenteric cyst page for complete clinical details, sources, and verified-specialist listings.
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