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Living with Umbilical cord ulceration-intestinal atresia syndrome

A rare condition found in pregnancy with an ulcer in the umbilical cord and a blocked upper intestine.

Understanding Umbilical cord ulceration-intestinal atresia syndrome

Umbilical cord ulceration-intestinal atresia syndrome is a rare condition in which an ulcer forms in the umbilical cord along with a blocked or missing part of the upper intestine.

It typically shows up in pregnancy with bleeding from the ulcer site and a slow fetal heartbeat. It starts during pregnancy.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Ulcer in the umbilical cord
  • Blocked or missing upper intestine (intestinal atresia)
  • Narrowed or missing first part of the small bowel (duodenal atresia)
  • Extra amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)
  • Anemia
  • Heart wall hole (ventricular septal defect)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include digestive system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How is the pregnancy monitored for bleeding and baby heart rate?
Which specialists, such as maternal-fetal medicine, should we see?
How is intestinal atresia treated after birth?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy

GARD says changes in genes (variants) cause this condition, but it doesn't name a specific gene.

GeneticGastrointestinal

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Umbilical cord ulceration-intestinal atresia syndromeGARD ID 5403 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Umbilical cord ulceration-intestinal atresia syndrome.

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