CHLORHEXIDINE FOR THE PREVENTION OF OMPHALITIS IN NEONATES WITH A SINGLE DOSE
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Keywords
Chlorhexidine, Omphalitis, Neonates, Infection Prevention, Randomized Controlled Trial.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a single application of 4% chlorhexidine in preventing omphalitis in neonates compared to standard cord care practices.
Materials and Methods: The study is a randomized control trial which involved 200 neonates with 100 neonates in each of the chlorhexidine group and the control group. Inclusion criteria were live births with an intact umbilical cord at birth while exclusion criteria were neonates with infections and structural anomalies at birth. Therefore, the main focus was on the rate of developing omphalitis during the intended follow-up period.
Results: The frequency of omphalitis in the chlorhexidine group was 8 (8%) compared to 24 (24%) for the control group and the relative risk reduction was 66.67% (p < 0.01). Moreover, chlorhexidine was less severe with an average symptom severity score of 2.1 compared to control group’s score of 3.5 on average (p< 0.01).
Conclusion: This research establishes that use of 4% chlorhexidine reduces the incidence and severity of omphalitis in the neonate hence implying that should be allowed to be used in the neonatal section.
References
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Dr Allah Nawaz Sultan
Assistant Professor Pediatrics, Pediatric Department, Sharif Medical City Hospital, Lahore.
Dr Faisal Javed
Consultant Pediatrician, Pediatrics Department, Ali Fatima hospital, Lahore
Dr Nosheen Iftikhar
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatrics Department, Sharif Medical City Hospital Lahore
Dr Shabir Ahmad
Associate of Pediatrics, Pediatric Department, Azra Naheed Medical College Lahore & Chaurdhry Muhammad Akram Teaching Hospital Lahore
Dr Iqbal Ahmad Azhar
Professor of Pediatrics, Azra Naheed Medical College Lahore & Chaurdhry Muhammad Akram Teaching Hospital Lahore
Dr Waheed Ahmad
Assistant Professor Pediatrics, Azra Naheed Medical College Lahore & Chaurdhry Muhammad Akram Teaching Hospital Lahore.