Alcohol Versus Natural Drying for Newborn Cord Care

  1. Sharon Dore RNC, BScN, Med1,*,
  2. Donna Buchan RN, MHSc2,
  3. Sally Coulas RN, BScN3,
  4. Lynn Hamber RN4,
  5. Mary Stewart RN5,
  6. Debra Cowan RN6,
  7. Liz Jamieson RPN7

Article first published online: 28 JUL 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.1998.tb02631.x

Issue

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing

Volume 27, Issue 6, pages 621–627, November 1998

Additional Information

How to Cite

Dore, S., Buchan, D., Coulas, S., Hamber, L., Stewart, M., Cowan, D. and Jamieson, L. (1998), Alcohol Versus Natural Drying for Newborn Cord Care. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 27: 621–627. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.1998.tb02631.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Sharon Dore is a clinical nurse specialist, obstetrics and gynecology, Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, McMaster Site; associate clinical professor, McMaster University School of Nursing, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; and a PhD candidate, Wayne State University, College of Nursing, Detroit, MI.

  2. 2

    Donna Buchan was a clinical specialist, Parent and Child program, Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, at the time of the study.

  3. 3

    Sally Coulas is a staff nurse, obstetrics and gynecology, Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, McMaster Site, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

  4. 4

    Lynn Hamberis a staff nurse, obstetrics and gynecology, Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, McMaster Site, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

  5. 5

    Mary Stewart is a volunteer, Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

  6. 6

    Debra Cowan is a staff nurse, mother-baby unit, Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

  7. 7

    Liz Jamieson is a staff practical nurse, mother-baby unit, Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

*Address for correspondence: Sharon Dore, RNC, BScN, MEd, c/o 4D5, McMaster Site, HHSC, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8N 3Z5.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 JUL 2006
  2. Article first published online: 28 JUL 2006
  3. Accepted: January 1998

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Objective: To compare alcohol cleaning and natural drying of newborn umbilical cords

Design: Prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Tertiary-level university teaching hospital and level II community hospital.

Participants: Of 1,876 singleton full-term newborns enrolled, 1,81 1 completed the study.

Interventions: Newborns, from birth until separation of the cord, were randomized to either (a) umbilical cleansing with 70% isopropyl alcohol at each diaper change or (b) natural drying of the umbilical site without special treatment.

Main Outcome Measures: Umbilical infection, cord separation time, maternal comfort, and cost.

Results: No newborn in either group developed a cord infection. Primary care providers obtained cultures for cord concerns in 32 newborns (1.8%), with colonization for normal flora, Staphylococcus aureus, and Group B streptococcus proportionately equal in alcohol and air dry groups. Cord separation time was statistically significantly different (alcohol group, 9.8 days; natural drying group, 8.16 days; t= 8.9, p= <.001). Mothers described similar comfort with cord care and relief with cord separation. Costs of alcohol drying while in the hospital were greater than those of natural drying.

Conclusions: (a) Evidence does not support continued use of alcohol for newborn cord care; (b) health care providers should explain the normal process of cord separation, including appearance and possible odor; and (c) health care providers should continue to develop evidence to support or eliminate historic practices.

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