Effect of the first bath with chlorhexidine on skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus in normal healthy term newborns.
A masked randomized clinical trial was conducted in 93 neonates who received the first bath with chlorhexidine (experimental) (n =44) or neutral liquid soap (control) (n =49). Three samples were collected for culture from the neonates' right axilla skin before bath, 30 min and 24 h after bath. Immediately before bath, Staphylococcus aureus colonization prevalence was 10.2% (n = 5) in control and 4.5% (n =2) in the experimental group (p =0.74). 30 min after bath, S. aureus prevalence was 20.4% (n = 10) in control and 2.3% (n = 1) in the experimental group (p =0.017). 24 h after bath, S. aureus prevalence was 36.7% (n = 18) in control and 13.6% (n =6) in the experimental group (p =0.021). There was no occurrence of sepsis in the first month in both groups. In conclusion, a first bath with chlorhexidine reduced S. aureus colonization on the newborn's skin in a 24-h period.
Da Cunha
Maria L
ML
Department of Maternal Infant Health, Nursing School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Procianoy
Renato S
RS
Franceschini
Débora T
DT
De Oliveira
Laura L
LL
Cunha
Maria L
ML
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001494:Baths; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine