OBJECTIVE: A high proportion of deaths during the neonatal period are attributed to infections. Neonatal skin plays an important role in protecting the newborn from invasive pathogens. In preparation for a study of newborn skin cleansing with chlorhexidine in Nepal, we evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of the newborn cleansing procedure. STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING: Observational pilot study of full-body cleansing of newborns in rural Nepal. METHODS: Thirty two newborn infants were wiped with commercially available non-antiseptic baby wipes. Pre and post-procedure axillary temperatures were recorded to estimate the impact of cleansing on body temperature. Skin aggravation, residual moisture, removal of vernix, and maternal satisfaction were assessed qualitatively. RESULTS: Body temperature of newborns decreased an average of 0.40 C (95% CI: 0.31 to 0.49 C, p < 0.0001) during the procedure. There was no evidence of skin aggravation, injury or removal of vernix, and mothers expressed satisfaction with the procedure. The procedure was simple and project workers were easily trained. CONCLUSION: Care must be taken to promptly wrap infants after skin cleansing procedures as slight temperature decrease was noted after the procedure. These pilot data indicate, however, that gentle cleansing of newborn skin poses minimal risk to infants. This procedure is safe and appropriate precautions can be taken to deliver safe skin antisepsis with chlorhexidine to infants in the community.
OBJECTIVE: A high proportion of deaths during the neonatal period are attributed to infections. Neonatal skin plays an important role in protecting the newborn from invasive pathogens. In preparation for a study of newborn skin cleansing with chlorhexidine in Nepal, we evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of the newborn cleansing procedure. STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING: Observational pilot study of full-body cleansing of newborns in rural Nepal. METHODS: Thirty two newborn infants were wiped with commercially available non-antiseptic baby wipes. Pre and post-procedure axillary temperatures were recorded to estimate the impact of cleansing on body temperature. Skin aggravation, residual moisture, removal of vernix, and maternal satisfaction were assessed qualitatively. RESULTS: Body temperature of newborns decreased an average of 0.40 C (95% CI: 0.31 to 0.49 C, p < 0.0001) during the procedure. There was no evidence of skin aggravation, injury or removal of vernix, and mothers expressed satisfaction with the procedure. The procedure was simple and project workers were easily trained. CONCLUSION: Care must be taken to promptly wrap infants after skin cleansing procedures as slight temperature decrease was noted after the procedure. These pilot data indicate, however, that gentle cleansing of newborn skin poses minimal risk to infants. This procedure is safe and appropriate precautions can be taken to deliver safe skin antisepsis with chlorhexidine to infants in the community.
Authors: Gary L Darmstadt; Nadia Badrawi; Paul A Law; Saifuddin Ahmed; Moataza Bashir; Iman Iskander; Dalia Al Said; Amani El Kholy; Mohamed Hassan Husein; Asif Alam; Peter J Winch; Reginald Gipson; Muhammad Santosham Journal: Pediatr Infect Dis J Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 2.129
Authors: Craig M Wilson; Glenda Gray; Jennifer S Read; Anthony Mwatha; Sanjay Lala; Saul Johnson; Avye Violari; Portia Mabali Sibiya; Thomas R Fleming; Ann Koonce; Sten H Vermund; James McIntyre Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2004-02-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: James M Tielsch; Gary L Darmstadt; Luke C Mullany; Subarna K Khatry; Joanne Katz; Steven C LeClerq; Shardaram Shrestha; Ramesh Adhikari Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2007-01-08 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Luke C Mullany; Subarna K Khatry; Jeevan B Sherchand; Steven C LeClerq; Gary L Darmstadt; Joanne Katz; Punita Gauchan; Ramesh K Adhikari; Ashma Rana; James M Tielsch Journal: Pediatr Infect Dis J Date: 2008-06 Impact factor: 2.129
Authors: E M McClure; R L Goldenberg; N Brandes; G L Darmstadt; L L Wright; Deborah Armbruster; Robert Biggar; Joyce Carpenter; Michael J Free; Donald Mattison; Matthews Mathai; Nancy Moss; Luke C Mullany; Stephanie Schrag; James Tielsch; Jorge Tolosa; Stephen N Wall; Anne Schuchat; Abdelkrim Smine Journal: Int J Gynaecol Obstet Date: 2007-03-30 Impact factor: 3.561
Authors: Luke C Mullany; Joanne Katz; Subarna K Khatry; Steven C Leclerq; Gary L Darmstadt; James M Tielsch Journal: Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med Date: 2010-01