Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 63. No. 1, 2024.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2024.63.01.2
Comparison of the effectiveness of breast milk, dry-keeping, and use of chlorhexidine in umbilical cord care
Emine Ela Küçük
; Giresun University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Department, Giresun,Turkey
Dilek Küçük Alemdar
; Ordu University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Department, Ordu,Turkey
*
Kürşad Yapar
; Giresun University, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacology Department, Giresun,Turkey
Şahin Direkel
; Malatya Turgut Özal University, Faculty of Medicine, Microbiology Department, Malatya,Turkey
Nejla Ömerbeyoğlu
; Giresun Education and Research Hospital, Giresun,Turkey
Ülker Başak
; Giresun Education and Research Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Giresun,Turkey
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
This research was conducted as a randomized study with the objective of
determining the effects of breast milk, dry-keeping, and chlorhexidine methods used in umbilical
cord care on the time of umbilical cord separation and on omphalitis and bacterial flora development.
The study was carried out in 97 newborns divided into three groups, as follows: breast milk was
used for umbilical cord care in group 1 of 32 newborns, dry-keeping was applied in group 2 of 35
newborns, and chlorhexidine was applied in group 3 of 30 newborns. Infants were assigned to three
subgroups through randomization performed using a computer program. Swabs for culture were
obtained from umbilical cord on postnatal day 2 and day 5. While difference in the results of the care
methods applied was notsignifi cant on day 2, significant difference in the results was found on day
5. It was determined that there was no bacterial growth in 46.7% of the chlorhexidine group, while
maximum bacterial growth was recorded in the dry-keeping group. In the chlorhexidine group, timing
of umbilical cord separation was significantly shorter than in other groups. Study results indicated
that the most effective method was the use of chlorhexidine. Dry-keeping can be risky since it was
inefficient in preventing umbilical colonization, and in cases where the cost of chlorhexidine is an
issue, the use of breast milk can be recommended.
Keywords
Bacterial colonization; Umbilical cord care; Cord separation time; Breast milk; Keeping dry; Chlorhexidine
Hrčak ID:
322008
URI
Publication date:
1.4.2024.
Visits: 39 *