Breast Milk Application as a Natural Method for Umbilical Cord Care: A Community-Label 3-Arm Pilot Clinical Trial
10.1097/FM9.0000000000000243
- VernacularTitle:Breast Milk Application as a Natural Method for Umbilical Cord Care: A Community-Label 3-Arm Pilot Clinical Trial
- Author:
Alemu Bekalu KASSIE
1
;
Wondimagegn Leltework YISMAW
;
Yibelu BAZEZEW
;
Liyeh Tewachew MUCHE
;
Muluneh Abebaw ABEJE
;
Mihretie Gedefaye NIBRET
;
Alekaw SEMA
;
Endalifer Melese LINGER
;
Azeze Getnet GEDEFAW
;
Woldeamanuel Gashaw GAREDEW
;
Tlaye Kenean GETANEH
;
Lee Wing FONG
;
Yao WANG
;
Wang Chi CHIU
Author Information
1. Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos 269, Ethiopia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Chlorhexidine;
Human breast milk;
Neonatal care;
Trial;
Umbilical cord
- From:
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
2024;06(4):203-210
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective::To compare the effects of human breast milk with those of chlorhexidine and the dry method on umbilical cord separation in Ethiopia.Methods::This open-label 3-arm nonrandomized pilot clinical trial was conducted among 45 neonates (15 in each arm) with more than 630 home visits. After a standard cord cut, human breast milk, chlorhexidine, or nothing was applied once per day for 7 days. The primary outcome was the duration of cord separation, while the secondary outcomes were umbilical cord infection, neonatal fever, jaundice, feeding and breathing difficulty, and persistent crying.Results::There were statistically significant differences in the time-to-cord separation between the human breast milk group and the chlorhexidine ( P < 0.001) and dry alone ( P = 0.038) groups. Compared to those of chlorhexidine, the rates of cord separation among human breast milk and the dry-alone group were 16.02, with 95% confidence intervals (3.81, 37.43; P < 0.001) and 3.15 (0.99, 10.00; P = 0.052), respectively. One (6.7%) cord site infection was observed in the dry-alone groups only. Conclusion::This community-label study indicated that human breast milk application significantly shortened the length of umbilical cord separation time compared to chlorhexidine and dry methods. A large-scale randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm these results.Registration::PACTR202310902873290; https://pactr.samrc.ac.za
