The umbilical cord, is the channel through which the fetus is supplied by the mother with fetal nutrition and fetal excretion of waste while in the mother’s body. After the birth of the fetus, the medical staff will ligate the umbilical cord and cut it off. After the umbilical cord is severed, the stump of the umbilical cord gradually dries up and becomes thin, while becoming black. The umbilical cord usually falls off 3-7 days after the baby is born. The wound before the umbilical cord falls off is easily infected and umbilicitis occurs. Umbiliculitis is an acute inflammation caused by the invasion and multiplication of bacteria at the umbilical stump. Symptoms and signs Redness at the root of the umbilical cord, or a wound that does not heal after shedding, wetness and running water in the umbilical fossa are the earliest signs of umbilical cord inflammation. Later, the skin around the umbilicus becomes red and swollen, the umbilical fossa has a plasma-purulent discharge with a foul odor, the skin around the umbilicus becomes more red and swollen, or a local abscess is formed, sepsis, and in critical condition, peritonitis, and systemic symptoms of toxicity. Fever, do not eat milk,, bad spirits, irritability, etc. In chronic umbiliculitis, the umbilical granuloma is formed, a small cherry red swelling protrudes, often flowing mucous secretions, and does not heal over time. Treatment 1. Keep the area dry, change diapers regularly, and prevent urine contamination. 2. change local medication. 3. antibiotic treatment. In mild cases, local cleaning with 2% iodine and 75% alcohol, 2-3 times a day, in severe cases, appropriate antibiotics should be used for intravenous injection, and if abscesses are formed, excision and drainage should be performed. Preventive care Popularize the new method of delivery, strictly implement aseptic operation when cutting the umbilical cord, do a good job of post-cutting care, and keep the local cleanliness and hygiene. Pathogenesis Inadequate disinfection and improper care during or after umbilical cord removal can easily cause bacterial contamination and inflammation of the umbilicus. Common pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, followed by Streptococcus haemolyticus, or mixed bacterial infections, etc. Disease diagnosis A positive culture of local secretions does not indicate the presence of infection, but must be differentiated by the presence of inflammatory manifestations in the umbilicus. Complications In mild cases, the umbilical chakra and periumbilical skin are mildly red and swollen, and may be accompanied by a small amount of plasma-purulent secretions. In severe cases, the umbilicus and periumbilical region are obviously red and swollen, and the discharge is purulent and often smelly. It may spread to the surrounding skin or tissues, causing abdominal wall cellulitis, subcutaneous gangrene, peritonitis, sepsis, portal phlebitis, and later may develop into portal hyperemia and cirrhosis of the liver.