Evaluation of Two Strategies for Umbilical Cord Care : Dry Cord Care Versus Antiseptic on the Incidence of Omphalitis in Healthy Term Newborn

Evaluation of Two Strategies for Umbilical Cord Care : Dry Cord Care Versus Antiseptic on the Incidence of Omphalitis in Healthy Term Newborn

At birth, the umbilical cord is cut, separating physically and symbolically the mother of his child. Before cord drop, umbilical area is a possible way of bacterial infection. Thus, umbilical cord infections constitute a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In industrialized countries, omphalitis cases have almost disappeared whatever cord care strategies. At this day, care practices appear extremely different between countries, based more on habits and convictions that on evidence-based medicine. The investigators propose to conduct a non inferiority multicenter clustered crossed randomized study. Observations sessions will be performed on two consecutive periods of 5 months: 4 months of recruitment and 1 month follow-up. Main objective is to demonstrate that dry cord care practice would not expose to a higher risk of omphalitis than antiseptic based care approach. The purpose of NEOCORD study is a simplification of cord care for paramedical teams and parents, but also a significant reduction of costs in a medico-economic approach.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Newborn > 36 weeks of gestation.
• Asymptomatic newborn hospitalization.
• Information and consent of parental or legal authority.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Outborn.
• Family or social environment considered incompatible with dry cord care by investigator from a hygienic point of view (no fixed abode etc…).
• Hospitalization in neonatal intensive care unit.
• Transfer to another maternity hospital.
• Gestational age less than or equal to 36 weeks of gestation.
• Serious Congenital Pathology.
• Opposition of parents.