Topical umbilical cord care for prevention of infection and neonatal mortality

Jamlick Karumbi1, Mercy Mulaku, Jalemba Aluvaala

  • 1Division of Paediatrics, Ministry of Medical Services, Afya House, Nairobi, Kenya. jkarumbi@nairobi.kemri-wellcome.org

Umbilical cord care varies often reflecting community or health-worker beliefs. We undertook a review of current evidence on topical umbilical cord care. Study quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system, and a meta-analysis was conducted for comparable trials. Available moderate-quality to high-quality evidence indicate that cord cleansing with 4% chlorhexidine may reduce the risk of neonatal mortality and sepsis (omphalitis) in low-resource settings.

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