Which is more severe, omphalocele or hernia?

Question

Is omphalocele more severe than hernia?

Answer

Omphalocele is a congenital defect of the abdominal wall, characterized by a full-thickness abdominal wall defect adjacent to the umbilicus with viscera protruding through the defect. It is a rare congenital anomaly that is more common in low birth weight infants. In infants with omphalocele, intestines may protrude through a full-thickness abdominal wall defect near the umbilicus, with free mesentery, hyperemic, edematous, and thickened intestines covered with fibrinous exudate, and intestines that are adherent to each other. The severity depends on the extent of the defect, and both omphalocele and hernia can be completely treated.