Umbilical Cord Seperation Time and Related Factors

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the methods used in umbilical care, the separation time of the umbilical cord, and the factors affecting it.Methods: A quantitative longitudinal observational analytical study was conducted between May 2018-May 2019 in an obstetrics clinic of a state hospital in eastern Turkey. The study consisted of a sample of 345 newborns and their mothers. Necessary permissions were obtained before the research data were collected. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews and via telephone. The data obtained were evaluated by percentage distribution, Independent Samples t-test, ANOVA, and Mann-Whitney U test.Results: The average gestational age of the newborns is 39.11 ± .71 week. 42.6% of the mothers stated that they performed umbilical cord care. The mean separation time of the umbilical cord in newborns was calculated as 7.55 ± 2.64 days. It was observed that the umbilical cord of the babies whose mothers put some application to the umbilical cord fell off in an average of 8.27 ± 2.97 days, while those who did not practice fell off in 7.01 ± 2.22 days (p <0.05).Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, keeping the umbilical cord open and dry without any application to it shortens the time of umbilical cord falling off.