An umbilical granuloma (gran-you-LOW-ma) is a small, red stalk of scar tissue that stays on a newborn baby's bellybutton after the umbilical cord has fallen off. More to Know During pregnancy, the umbilical cord carries nutrients and oxygen from a mother to her unborn baby. After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut and a small piece is left attached to the baby. This part of the cord usually falls off on its own within 1 to 3 weeks after birth. In some cases, however, the healing process is delayed and extra scar tissue forms at the base of the cord after it has fallen off. Umbilical granulomas cause no pain, but they may discharge a fluid that can make the surrounding skin appear red and irritated. Keep in Mind Umbilical granulomas are easily treated with simple procedures and cause no lasting problems. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles A Guide for First-Time Parents If you're a first-time parent, put your fears aside and get the basics in this guide about burping, bathing, bonding, and other baby-care concerns. Read More Looking at Your Newborn: What's Normal When you first meet your newborn, you may be surprised by what you see. Here's what to expect. Read More Medical Care and Your Newborn By the time you hold your new baby for the first time, you've probably chosen your little one's doctor. Learn about your newborn's medical care. Read More Newborn Screening Tests Newborn screening tests look for health conditions that aren't apparent at birth. Find out which tests are done. Read More The First Day of Life Your baby's here! Find out what to expect on that special day first day of life. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.