Effect of two different umbilical cord care methods in preterm infants on umbilical cord separation time and omphalitis

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether umbilical cord separation time and omphalitis development ratio are different in opened and closed dressing of umbilical cord care with 70% alcohol.Method: The study included 74 preterm infants born over 30 weeks of gestation in a State Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between February and July 2008. Infants were separeted into two groups opened and closed dressing after performing umbilical cord care. Ethical concent was obtained. The data including sociodemographical characteristics, signs of omphalitis and umbilical cord separation time were collected evaluating a questionnaire form and analyzed with Yates correction Chi-square test and independent samples t-test.Results: Umbilical cord separation time was 15.3 ± 4.4 days in opened dressing infants whereas it was 19.6 ± 8.9 days in closed dressing infants and the difference between two groups was statistically significant (p=.011). There was no difference between two groups in terms of development of omphalitis. Omphalitis did not develop in opened dressing, only one patient had infection in the closed dressing group.Conclusion: Development of omphalitis is not different between opened or closed dressing of umbilical cord in preterm babies. However, opened dressing of umbilical cord provides shorter separation time. Costs are cheaper and application period is shorter in opened dressing of umbilical cord care. Future studies with larger series are needed for more significant data.Key words: preterm, umbilical cord care, umbilical cord separation time, omphalitis, alcohol