Topical antimicrobials applied to the umbilical cord stump: a new intervention against neonatal tetanus

Previous case-control studies of neonatal tetanus (NNT), a leading cause of infant mortality in developing countries, have suggested that antimicrobials applied after delivery to the umbilical cord stump may protect against this disease. However, assessment of their protective effect has been limited by the low prevalence of antimicrobial use in developing countries.

We conducted a population-based, matched, case-control study to assess the use of antimicrobials and other factors potentially related to NNT in rural parts of Bangladesh. We studied 359 cases (infants who were normal at birth but who died between the 3rd and 30th day of life after an illness characterized by signs of NNT), each matched to three living controls for gender, residence, and date of birth.

In univariate analyses, the application of either antibiotics or disinfectants at delivery, and the continuous or any application of disinfectants were protective against NNT. The application of antibiotics at delivery (odds ratio [OR] = 0.21, P = 0.019), hand washing by the delivery attendant (OR = 0.64, P = 0.005), and prior maternal immunization with tetanus toxoid (OR = 0.50, P < 0.001) remained protective in conditional logistic-regression analyses. Application of animal dung to the umbilical stump (OR = 2.31, P = 0.047) was hazardous.

Effective and inexpensive topical antimicrobials provide a new prevention opportunity that could be used by traditional birth attendants and mothers to provide additional benefits to NNT control programmes based on maternal immunization with tetanus toxoid. Promotion of hygienic delivery and cord-care practices and increasing tetanus toxoid coverage remain cornerstones for the prevention of NNT deaths.