Umbilical Cord Care and Infection Rates in Turkey

To compare the efficacy of umbilical cord sponging with 70% alcohol, sponging with 10% povidone-iodine, and dry care on the time to umbilical cord separation and bacterial colonization.

Prospective, interventional experimental study design.

Three different family health centers in Istanbul, Turkey.

In total, 194 newborns were enrolled in one of three study groups: Group 1, 70% alcohol (n = 67); Group 2, 10% povidone-iodine (n = 62); and Group 3, dry care (n = 65).

Data were collected between January 2015 and July 2015. Umbilical separation time and umbilical cord bacterial colonization were considered as the study outcomes.

The most commonly isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and enterococci. There was no significant difference among the groups for umbilical cord separation times (p > .05).

Dry care may be perceived as an attractive option because of cost benefits and ease of application.