Umbilical Cord Care in the Newborn Infant

Postpartum infections remain a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. A high percentage of these infections may stem from bacterial colonization of the umbilicus, because cord care practices vary in reflection of cultural traditions within communities and disparities in health...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatrics (Evanston) 2016-09, Vol.138 (3), p.e20162149
Main Authors: Stewart, Dan, Benitz, William
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Anti-Infective Agents, Local - therapeutic use
Bacteria
Bacterial infections
Bacterial Infections - prevention & control
Care and treatment
Health aspects
Humans
Infant care
Infant mortality
Infant, Newborn
Infants
Infants (Newborn)
Morbidity
Newborn infants
Pediatrics
Postpartum period
Rooming-in Care
Sepsis - prevention & control
Skin - microbiology
Umbilical cord
Umbilical Cord - microbiology
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Summary:Postpartum infections remain a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. A high percentage of these infections may stem from bacterial colonization of the umbilicus, because cord care practices vary in reflection of cultural traditions within communities and disparities in health care practices globally. After birth, the devitalized umbilical cord often proves to be an ideal substrate for bacterial growth and also provides direct access to the bloodstream of the neonate. Bacterial colonization of the cord not infrequently leads to omphalitis and associated thrombophlebitis, cellulitis, or necrotizing fasciitis. Various topical substances continue to be used for cord care around the world to mitigate the risk of serious infection. More recently, particularly in high-resource countries, the treatment paradigm has shifted toward dry umbilical cord care. This clinical report reviews the evidence underlying recommendations for care of the umbilical cord in different clinical settings.
ISSN:0031-4005
1098-4275
DOI:10.1542/peds.2016-2149