Effect of early essential newborn care on omphalitis in vaginally born preterm infants

Abstract

Objective To explore the influence of early essential newborn care(EENC) on the development of omphalitis in preterm infants following normal delivery. Methods A total of 184 preterm infants, admitted to General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2017 to December 2017, were retrospectively collected as EENC group. During the same period, 161 preterm infants who were born in Yinchuan Maternal and Child Health Hospital were included in the control group. Preterm infants in EENC group were managed based on the clinical practice guideline of Early Essential Newborn Care, while those in the control group underwent routine care after birth. The incidence of omphalitis between the two groups were compared using independent-samples t test and Chi-square test. Influencing factors of omphalitis were analyzed using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The incidence of mild omphalitis was lower [5.4% (10/184) vs 11.8% (19/161), χ2=4.520, P<0.05], and the separation and drying up time of cord stump were both earlier in the EENC group than those in the control group [(5.5±1.5) vs (8.2±1.2) d, t=4.169; (2.6±1.4) vs (3.2±1.4) d, t=4.513; both P<0.05]. Logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age≤34 weeks (OR=1.885, 95%CI: 1.109-6.757, P=0.032), early umbilical cord clamping (OR=3.615, 95%CI: 1.372-9.381, P=0.001) and bandaging of the umbilical stump (OR=1.921, 95%CI: 1.257-11.893, P=0.035) were independent risk factors of omphalitis in preterm infants. Conclusions Umbilical cord treatment based on EENC could reduce the incidence of omphalitis by avoiding its risk factors in preterm infants following normal delivery. Key words: Infant, premature; Umbilicus; Inflammation; Umbilical cord; Constriction; Neonatal nursing