umbilical cord care

[deucerp]

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random question I know. I'm on newborn nursery right now as an MS-III and the attending gave me this question. What do you use for infection prophylaxis of the cord stump? I've read different articles, even a Cochrane review and it seems that there isn't really a concensus. The Cochrane review even said there was no significant difference between antiseptic/antibiotic use and just keeping the cord clean. Any input?

Thanks

 

[14022]

I think isopropyl alcohol. I dont think it is something in which you will find a randomized controlled double blinded study, but it seems to work.

 

[edmadison]

I think isopropyl alcohol. I dont think it is something in which you will find a randomized controlled double blinded study, but it seems to work.

Actually, in the western world nothing is what is recommended. There was a large study out of Albetra or Manitoba or one of those Canadian places, anyway it showed that alchohol had no effect on infection and actually increased the amount time it took for the stump to fall off. I'd get you the citation, but I start as the NICU senior in less than 8 hours and need to get some sleep.

Ed

 

[deucerp]

thanks 🙂