Omphalocele is an abdominal-wall defect that occurs at the base of the umbilical cord (umbilicus). The infant is born with a sac protruding through the defect, which contains the small and large intestines and liver. Omphalocele is frequently associated with other birth defects, such as heart defects, genetic defects, urinary problems, and imperforate (closed) anuses. Omphalocele is very similar to gastroschisis, except that in this instance, the organs are enclosed in a sac.
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