Omphalitis is a bacterial infection of your baby’s umbilical stump. This is the small part of their umbilical cord that remains after delivery. Most babies recover fine with antibiotics, though some develop complications that need further treatment.

During birth and the clamping and cutting process, germs can invade the cord and cause infection. Infection of the umbilical cord stump is called omphalitis.

Explore the symptoms of umbilical cord infections before and after birth, treatment options, and prevention strategies.

The umbilical cord is the lifeline between the baby and mother during pregnancy and is cut after birth. The umbilical cord stump then gradually dries and typically falls off within 5 to 15 days. Skin and enteric bacteria may colonize the devitalized tissue of the stump and lead to infection.

These could be symptoms of an umbilical cord infection. Prompt treatment is needed to stop the infection from spreading. Also, talk to your baby's healthcare professional if the stump still hasn't fallen off after three weeks. Your baby might need treatment for a medical issue such as an infection or an immune system condition.