Umbilicus and Umbilical Cord

This book discusses the importance of umbilical cord and umbilicus as a unique structure, in health and in different diseases. All congenital anomalies of the umbilical cord as well as acquired diseases are explained and discussed with illustrations and animations.
Starting from complications during and after birth, the book then covers childhood and adolescent umbilical abnormalities. Conditions such as umbilical stump diseases and anomalies, gastroschisis, omphalocele and urachal anomalies are discussed and explained, highlighting recent advances in their management. Among the contents are also chapters offering a cultural and historical perspective to the topic.

Written by a top pediatric surgeon this book brings decades of practical knowledge to readers, highlighting the importance of the umbilicus in development and childhood health.


Mohamed Abdel Baky Fahmy, MD, FRCS, is a Professor of Pediatric Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, and Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Pediatric Diseases. After studying at Al-Azhar University, Dr. Fahmy became a fellow to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and trained in Manchester, UK before taking up his present position. His previous posts include Head of the Pediatric Surgery Department at the King Fahed Tertiary Hospital, AL Baha, Saudi Arabia, and Consultant and Head of Pediatric Surgery Nasser Institute for Research and Treatment, Cairo. Dr. Fahmy has also been registered with the British Medical Council since 1994. He was the secretary general of Egyptian Association of Pediatric Surgeons and also a Member of the British Association of Pediatric Surgeons and American Association of Academic Surgery. Dr. Fahmy has published on a range of topics in pediatric urology and neonatal surgery in both national and international publications, with innovation in the field of continent urinary diversion. In recent years he has exhibited  a great interest in rare genitourinary anomalies, and he is the author of Springer's Illustrative Textbook of Rare Genitourinary Anomalies, 2015.