Cleaning solutions and bacterial colonization in promoting healing and early separation of the umbilical cord in healthy newborns.

The efficacy of alcohol or water in promoting umbilical cord separation was compared in a randomized controlled trial. Rates of skin colonization between groups were also evaluated on three occasions. Time to cord separation, rates of colonization, and species of organisms that colonized were compared between groups. Of 148 participants, 136 (92%) completed the protocol. Cords that were cleaned with sterile water separated more quickly than those cleaned with alcohol (t = 3.15, p = 0.002). Between-group differences in colonization rates were not found (F = 1.59, df = 2, p = 0.205). Umbilical or other infections did not occur. Bacterial colonization of the umbilical area and surrounding skin occurs over time in healthy term neonates. Cleaning with alcohol will increase the length of time from birth to cord separation but will not prevent colonization of the umbilical area.