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Sunday, March 9, 2014
Newborn and Infant Care
Granuloma is a general term for small growths (of nodular granulation tissue) typically formed at sites of chronic inflammation; granulomas may contain epithelioid cells, lymphocytes, giant cells with many nuclei, eosinophils, and plasma cells, and are usually surrounded by an area of fibrosis.
After the baby's umbilical cord falls off, the area around the umbilicus may swell a bit and continue to ooze slightly. This is called an umbilical granuloma. Your healthcare provider may advise you to continue frequent applications of alcohol or may treat it with a drying medication called silver nitrate. This usually is sufficient to stop the inflammation and allow the umbilicus to heal completely.
Answered by Judy Wright Lott, RNC, NNP, DSN
Tina Weitkamp, RNC, MSN
Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing
College of Nursing
University of Cincinnati