title: [Umbilical stump care in full-term neonates].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to evaluate the umbilical stump care in the Perinatological Centres in the Czech Republic and to propose a uniform therapeutic procedure in relation to the issue of early release of full-term neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  An epidemiological data analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mother and Child Care Institute, Prague - Podoli.
  
  
  METHODS
  The representatives of all the Perinatological Centres (PCs) in the Czech Republic (12 centres) were contacted over the telephone with the aim of evaluating the umbilical stump care in full-term neonates in relation to the period of hospitalisation. The telephonic questionnaire evaluated the following aspects: the treatment method used in the first days after birth; the time of surgical removal and/or leaving the umbilical stump; the technique of surgical access; the treatment after ablation of umbilical stump and the period of hospitalisation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first days, antiseptics are used in all the Perinatological Centres of the Czech Republic. All PCs carry out surgical removal of umbilical stump (in 7 centres it is cut off and in 5 centres it is removed through abscission). In 11 centres, the surgical removal takes place 36-48 hours after birth; in 1 centre it takes place 60-72 hours after birth. After removal, antibiotics are applied locally in 2 centres and antiseptics are applied locally in 10 centres. The period after which neonates were released was > or = 72 hours in 8 centres and > or = 96 hours in 4 centres in the case of full-term neonates after spontaneous birth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The uniform practice of the Perinatological Centres in the Czech Republic is sterile surgical removal of umbilical stump. However, with regard to early release and after-care, the current trend is to prefer a non-surgical method with spontaneous mummification and detachment of umbilical cord.
authors.affiliation: Ustav pro péci o matku a díte, Praha.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Malá
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Stranák
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D014472:Umbilicus
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local