Complications may occur prenatally, during birth, management, treatment or after surgery.
Both prenatally and during birth, the exomphalos can rupture.
During birth there may be trauma to the liver for giant omphaloceles.
During management exomphalos can act as a metabolic drain affecting nitrogen balance which can lead to failure to thrive, as well as hypothermia.
Use of a non-absorbent patch during surgery can lead to wound sepsis post-surgery.
Herniation from the patch is also a possibility.
Intestinal dysfunction for a few weeks after the surgery is common, therefore parenteral feeding is continued post-surgery, however prolonged use of this may lead to hepatomegaly and cholestasis.
If intestinal dysfunction persists it can lead to intestinal necrosis.
Intestinal atresia can occur, which is where the mucosa and submucosa of the intestine form a web that obstructs the lumen which leads to malabsorption.
Obstruction of the bowel can occur which results in short bowel syndrome.
For the first few years of life there is a high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux which can be complicated by oesophagitis.

Post-surgery the umbilicus (navel) is deficient or abnormally placed that causes dislike amongst many patients.
Umbilical reconstruction can be difficult due to scar tissue and lack of extra skin for surgical use, though this can be overcome by using tissue expanders below the skin and umbilicoplasty.

Ultimately, prognosis depends on the size of the defect and whether associated abnormalities are present or complications develop.
Mortalities and morbidities still occur, with the mortality rate for large omphaloceles with associated abnormalities being higher.
Most surviving omphalocele infants have no-long-term problems and grow up to be normal individuals.
Complications may occur prenatally, during birth, management, treatment or after surgery. Both prenatally and during birth, the exomphalos can rupture. During birth there may be trauma to the liver for giant omphaloceles. During management exomphalos can act as a metabolic drain affecting nitrogen balance which can lead to failure to thrive, as well as hypothermia. Use of a non-absorbent patch during surgery can lead to wound sepsis post-surgery. Herniation from the patch is also a possibility. Intestinal dysfunction for a few weeks after the surgery is common, therefore parenteral feeding is continued post-surgery, however prolonged use of this may lead to hepatomegaly and cholestasis. If intestinal dysfunction persists it can lead to intestinal necrosis. Intestinal atresia can occur, which is where the mucosa and submucosa of the intestine form a web that obstructs the lumen which leads to malabsorption. Obstruction of the bowel can occur which results in short bowel syndrome. For the first few years of life there is a high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux which can be complicated by oesophagitis.
Post-surgery the umbilicus (navel) is deficient or abnormally placed that causes dislike amongst many patients. Umbilical reconstruction can be difficult due to scar tissue and lack of extra skin for surgical use, though this can be overcome by using tissue expanders below the skin and umbilicoplasty.
Ultimately, prognosis depends on the size of the defect and whether associated abnormalities are present or complications develop. Mortalities and morbidities still occur, with the mortality rate for large omphaloceles with associated abnormalities being higher. Most surviving omphalocele infants have no-long-term problems and grow up to be normal individuals.
Omphalocele