Presentation
Patient is referred for an obstetric ultrasound at term.
Patient Data
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/63540083/6d3373e190379aeda18df404f3d7d09007770bf9ddd384696e13a8d6a5841dbe_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/63540084/144db9f0b4756392b01a52d730f8e9cf97993e873f33b1952b4011d8636360ed_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/63540082/6dc4d1666a85e9ef79e45e3dd6626702afe9a5f0ff927f38e66a4e718e473e0c_thumb.jpeg)
![](/packs/icon_video_small-FOK545SU.png)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/63540083/6d3373e190379aeda18df404f3d7d09007770bf9ddd384696e13a8d6a5841dbe_big_gallery.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/63540086/fc018b8633a001af5b510ab72e37f9e3a38eca6109af418864189674243a809e_big_gallery.jpeg)
Post-partum photo of the baby a few hours later after vaginal delivery shows the anterior abdominal wall defect as seen on ultrasound.
Consent obtained to share image.
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/63540146/6e428d98d42dffcfef4935296b66125ef63a40e89dc98099ec171623a048d23f_big_gallery.jpeg)
Illustrated image showing normal abdominal wall outline and the membrane-covered defect.
Case Discussion
Omphalocele is a congenital mid-line wall defect through which abdominal viscera herniate into a membrane-covered sac. It has been suggested that the formation of an omphalocele may be due to failure of the two lateral embryonic wall folds to fuse during embryologic development at 3-4 weeks. Due to the higher likelihood of related anomalies, smaller omphaloceles are believed to have a worse prognosis.