Overview
Patent urachus (also called a urachal fistula or open urachus) is a rare birth defect where a small tube-like structure called the urachus fails to close properly before birth. During fetal development, the urachus connects the bladder to the belly button (umbilicus) and normally seals shut before a baby is born. When it stays open, urine can leak from the bladder all the way up to the belly button. This condition is present from birth, though it is sometimes not noticed until early infancy. The most noticeable sign is wetness or urine draining from the belly button, which can look like a constantly moist or weeping navel. The area around the belly button may become red, irritated, or infected. Some babies and children may also have a higher risk of urinary tract infections because bacteria can travel through the open channel. Treatment usually involves surgery to close or remove the open urachus. When caught early and treated with surgery, most children recover fully and go on to live completely normal, healthy lives. The outlook after successful surgery is excellent, and long-term complications are uncommon.
Key symptoms:
Urine leaking from the belly buttonConstantly wet or moist belly buttonRedness or irritation around the belly buttonFoul smell coming from the belly buttonRecurrent urinary tract infectionsSwelling or tenderness near the belly buttonDischarge or crusting at the navelAbdominal discomfort or pain in some cases
Clinical phenotype terms (10)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Patent urachus.
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Specialists
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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 Patent urachus.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
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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.What type of surgery is recommended for my child, and what does the recovery look like?,Is there an infection present right now, and does it need to be treated before surgery?,How soon does surgery need to happen, or is it safe to wait?,What are the risks of the surgery, and what is the chance the urachus could reopen?,Will this condition affect my child's bladder or kidney function in the future?,What signs of complications should I watch for after surgery?,How often will follow-up visits be needed after the procedure?
Common questions about Patent urachus
What is Patent urachus?
Patent urachus (also called a urachal fistula or open urachus) is a rare birth defect where a small tube-like structure called the urachus fails to close properly before birth. During fetal development, the urachus connects the bladder to the belly button (umbilicus) and normally seals shut before a baby is born. When it stays open, urine can leak from the bladder all the way up to the belly button. This condition is present from birth, though it is sometimes not noticed until early infancy. The most noticeable sign is wetness or urine draining from the belly button, which can look like a con
How is Patent urachus inherited?
Patent urachus follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Patent urachus typically begin?
Typical onset of Patent urachus is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.