title: Prevention of neonatal infections by vaginal chlorhexidine disinfection during labour.
abstract: Comparison of two different methods of vaginal disinfection was made with regard to prevention of neonatal infections. In method I, an antepartum vaginal douche with a chlorhexidine solution was used; method II involved the use of chlorhexidine gluconate obstetrical gel during vaginal exploration. We studied 2853 normal deliveries from a total number of 3236 deliveries: 1467 deliveries were allocated randomly to receive a vaginal douche whereas 1386 underwent vaginal exploration using chlorhexidine gel. A total of 203 neonates were transferred to the neonatal unit (120 males and 83 females): 101 belonged to the group where the mothers were subjected to method I, whereas in 102 method II had been used. Within 48 h postpartum 30 neonates from the method I group and 34 neonates from the method II group received systemic antibiotics. There was a tendency towards a higher proportion of full-term neonates with verified septicaemia in the method II group (6 versus 2), whereas the numbers of probable infections were 8 versus 12. The corresponding total numbers in preterm infants were 3 and 2, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. We conclude that the use of chlorhexidine douche compared with vaginal exploration with chlorhexidine gel provides no additional advantages.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Henrichsen
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Lindemann
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Svenningsen
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Hjelle
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001724:Birth Weight; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004203:Disinfection; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005782:Gels; D012996:Solutions; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine