How does cloacal exstrophy affect a child?

How does cloacal exstrophy affect a child?

Cloacal exstrophy is also known as OEIS complex or OEIS syndrome because it causes these problems:

• Omphalocele: An opening (omphalocele) in abdominal muscles near the belly button allows the bladder and large intestine (and sometimes other organs) to protrude outside the body. The organs are inside a membrane.
• Exstrophy: The bladder wall turns outward (bladder exstrophy) and is flat instead of round. It may be split in half. The abdominal muscles and pelvic bones don’t join correctly, causing the pelvis to splay open like a book.
• Imperforate anus: The opening to the anus, the last part of the digestive system where poop comes out, is blocked or nonexistent. The large intestine (colon) is too short and may connect to the bladder.
• Spinal defects: As many as 3 out of 4 infants with cloacal exstrophy also have spina bifida. The spinal cord doesn’t close, allowing a sac of fluid (and sometimes nerves) to bulge through the opening.