Do not routinely prescribe antiseptic medication in the umbilical cord care

Do not routinely prescribe antiseptic medication in the umbilical cord care

Type of practice

Other health practices

Age

Pediatric

Topic Area

Paediatrics

Dry care and parents hand hygiene are enough to prevent omphalitis in developed countries.
Antiseptic swabbing of the stump is not supported by evidence and is not justified by time and costs needed.

Sources

1. Dry Care Versus Antiseptics for Umbilical Cord Care: A Cluster Randomized Trial. Gras-Le Guen C, Caille A, Launay E, Boscher C, Godon N, Savagner C, et al. Pediatrics. 2017;139(1).
2. Umbilical cord care in the newborn infant. Stewart D, Benitz W; Committee on fetus and newborn. Pediatrics. 2016 Sep;138(3):e20162149.
3. Umbilical cord separation time, predictors and healing complications in newborns with dry care. Lopez_Medina MD, Lopez-Araque AB, Linares-Abad M, Lopez-Medina IM. PLoS One. 2020 Jan 10;15(1):e0227209.
4. The use of Alcohol versus Dry Care for Umbilical Cord in Newborns: A systematicReview an Meta-analysis of Randomized and non-randomized Studies. Al-Shehri H. Cureus. 2019 Jul 8;11(7):e5103.

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Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.