Randomized trial of alcohol versus triple dye for umbilical cord care.
Over a 4-month period, all infants admitted to the well-baby nursery were enrolled in a prospective study designed to compare cord separation times between infants treated with triple dye once, followed by daily alcohol application, to infants treated with daily alcohol application alone. Follow-up phone calls were done 7 days after discharge, with weekly calls until cord separation occurred. The objective was to determine whether the umbilical cord care regimen of triple dye followed by alcohol has an advantage over the alternative regimen of alcohol alone, with regard to cord separation, parenting, or healthcare caretaker preferences. In total, 634 infants were enrolled, with 599 infants (94%) completing the study. Infants in the alcohol alone group had a shorter cord separation time by 3 days (10 versus 13 days) (p < 0.0001). There was no reported increase in infection, and monetary savings were noted. We conclude that alcohol applied once a day appears to be a safe and effective means of promoting cord detachment.
Golombek
Sergio G
SG
The Regional Neonatal Center-New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center-Valhalla, 10595, USA.
Brill
Patricia E
PE
Salice
Anne L
AL
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000438:Alcohols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005840:Gentian Violet / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011370:Proflavine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012016:Reference Values; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000187:drug effects*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000438:Alcohols; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C014234:Triple Dye; D011370:Proflavine; D005840:Gentian Violet