Chlorhexidine for the prevention of omphalitis in infants with a single dose

Abstract

Background: In 2013, 44% (2•761 million) of the projected 6.3 million worldwide children fatalities occurred in the first month of birth. Seventy-five percent of all newborn deaths occur within the first week of life worldwide. Neonatal mortality affects virtually solely low- and middle-income countries. These neonatal death rates may be greatly lowered if adequate health measures are taken during labour and delivery, with a focus on cleanliness. The purpose of this research is to determine if a single dose of chlorhexidine may minimise the risk of omphalitis in babies. Methodology: This randomised control study was conducted at the Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar, Pakistan, between January 2019 and December 2020. Sixty-four people were examined in all, with 32 people monitoring each group. Two groups of neonates, Group-A and Group-B, were given a different strategy for managing the umbilical cord. Group A had their umbilical cords cleansed with a 4% chlorhexidine solution, whereas Group B was encouraged to let theirs dry naturally. On days 7, 14, 21, and 28, researchers checked in with study participants in the hospital or at their homes to check for the occurrence of omphalitis. The results were monitored with the use of proformas.