title: Effect of topical application of chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care in comparison with conventional dry cord care on the risk of neonatal sepsis: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare topical application of chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care with conventional dry care for prevention of neonatal sepsis in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in the NICU of a teaching hospital in north India between 2010 and 2011. Newborns (≥ 32 weeks of gestation and weighing ≥ 1500 g) were randomized into chlorhexidine application and dry care groups. Data regarding time of cord separation, umbilical sepsis and neonatal sepsis were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred forty (dry care group 70, chlorhexidine group 70) were enrolled and finally analysed. A significant difference was observed among groups in terms of time to cord separation and incidence of blood culture-proven sepsis though there was no statistical difference noted among the groups with regards to umbilical infection, probable sepsis and meningitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care prevents sepsis in the NICU.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Pandit B.D.Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India.
authors: Geeta
authors: G
authors: Gathwala
authors: Deepak
authors: D
authors: Sharma
authors: Bhanu kiran
authors: Bk
authors: Bhakhri
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D014472:Umbilicus
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine