Umbilical Cord Care and Infection Rates in Turkey

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of umbilical cord sponging with 70% alcohol, sponging with 10% povidone-iodine, and dry care on the time to umbilical cord separation and bacterial colonization.

DESIGN: Prospective, interventional experimental study design.

SETTING: Three different family health centers in Istanbul, Turkey.

PARTICIPANTS: In total, 194 newborns were enrolled in one of three study groups: Group 1, 70% alcohol (n = 67); Group 2, 10% povidone-iodine (n = 62); and Group 3, dry care (n = 65).

METHODS: Data were collected between January 2015 and July 2015. Umbilical separation time and umbilical cord bacterial colonization were considered as the study outcomes.

RESULTS: The most commonly isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and enterococci. There was no significant difference among the groups for umbilical cord separation times (p > .05).

CONCLUSION: Dry care may be perceived as an attractive option because of cost benefits and ease of application.