Percutaneous absorption of chlorhexidine in neonatal cord care

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Pharmacokinetics
• Dermatology

Background:

• Umbilical cord care is crucial for preventing infections in newborns.
• Chlorhexidine is a widely used antiseptic in neonatal settings.
• Understanding the absorption of topical agents is vital for infant safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the percutaneous absorption of chlorhexidine in neonates.
• To assess the safety of chlorhexidine-based umbilical cord care products.
• To compare absorption rates between term and preterm infants and different formulations.

Main Methods:

• Plasma chlorhexidine concentrations were measured in neonates at 5 and 9 days of age.
• Infants received either a 1% chlorhexidine in ethanol solution or a dusting powder (1% chlorhexidine, 3% zinc oxide).
• Absorption was assessed in both term and preterm infants.

Main Results:

• Percutaneous absorption of chlorhexidine was detected in preterm neonates treated with the 1% chlorhexidine ethanol solution.
• No significant percutaneous absorption was observed in term infants treated with the same solution.
• Preterm infants treated with the chlorhexidine dusting powder also showed no significant absorption.

Conclusions:

• The formulation and infant's gestational age influence chlorhexidine absorption.
• Topical chlorhexidine in ethanol solution poses a risk of systemic absorption in preterm neonates.
• Chlorhexidine dusting powder appears to be a safer alternative for umbilical cord care, especially in preterm infants.