Objectives 　To compare umbilical cord daily care protocol in the current clinical setting in which 75% alcohol sterile is used daily for the umbilical and surrounding skins with the WHO-recommended method (dry and clean).
Methods 　A total of 283 full-term newborns were randomly divided into two groups: the trial group (n=181) receiving WHO “dry and clean” protocol that the umbilical cord was open to air (with losing clothes), cleaned by clear water instead of alcohol. The control group (n=102) used the traditional method that after the newborns’ bathing, the umbilical cord and surrounding skins were sterilized with 75% alcohol. The basic condition of the newborns, umbilical departure time and complications around the navel were assessed. And bacterial culture from the newborns’ skins was observed.
Results 　There were no significant differences in departure time of the umbilical cord (7.64±3.29 day vs. 8.50±3.45 days t=1.82, P gt;0.05), complications (6 patients with slight omphalitis in the trial group and 2 patients with slight omphalitis in the control group), and the skin flora culture between the two groups. The umbilical cord of the newborns dropped off safely. And no fever was found.
Conclusion 　This study does not support that 75% alcohol can prevent the umbilical cord from being infected. Keeping the umbilical cord and surrounding skins dry is important for infection control.

Citation： ZHANG Hongyu,MENG Liping,WANG Xiaohuan,WANG Qing. Effect of Alcohol in Care of Umbilical Cord for the Departure Time and Skin Flora: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2010, 10(6): 661-664. doi: 10.7507/1672-2531.20100471 Copy