title: Impact of different antiseptics on umbilical cord colonization and cord separation time.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is still some uncertainty on cord care practices all around the world, especially in developing countries. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of six different umbilical cord care practices on the rate of colonization and cord separation time.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 516 newborns were randomly allocated to the following six umbilical cord care groups: group 1 received dry care; groups 2-4 received a single application of 70% alcohol, 4% chlorhexidine, or povidon-iodine in the delivery room, respectively, which were discontinued thereafter; groups 5 and 6 received a single application of 70% alcohol or 4% chlorhexidine, respectively, starting in the delivery room and continuing every six hours until discharge. Umbilical cords were examined on the second and third days and between the fifth and seventh day for signs of omphalitis. Swab cultures were taken on the second or third day from all cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cord separation time (median [interquartile range]) was the shortest for group 1 (7 [6-7] days) and the longest for group 3 (10 [7-12] days) and group 6 (10 [8-12] days) (p < 0.001). The cord colonization in the swab cultures was significantly lower in groups 3 and 6 (p < 0.001). Omphalitis was detected in eight (1.5%) patients among the study population, and there was no significant difference between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed that chlorhexidine application was the most effective agent in decreasing colonization, though it increased cord separation time significantly in both groups.
authors.affiliation: Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. hulyazeynep@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Hulya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
authors.forename: Hulya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bilgen
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Topuzoglu
authors.forename: Senay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coskun
authors.forename: Guner
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Soyletir
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakir
authors.forename: Eren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozek
mesh_terms: D000438:Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D002710:Chlorhexidine