Influence of chlorhexidine in ethanol and in isopropanol on the bacterial colonization of the umbilicus of newborns.

The effect of daily treatment with 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol and in 70% isopropanol, respectively, on navel colonization and on rates of infection in newborns has been studied in 438 infants in two maternity wards during a 3-month period. In spite of isopropanol being reported as a more efficient skin disinfectant than ethanol in several experimental models, no significant differences were seen in the frequency of navel colonization or in infection rates between the two treatment groups. The colonization rate with S. aureus was lower in this than in an earlier investigation on navel disinfection with chlorhexidine in ethanol performed in the same wards. This may reflect a progressive effectiveness of the treatment due to fewer S. aureus sources in the nursery. For practical reasons we continue to recommend daily navel disinfection with 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol on healthy newborns in hospital nurseries.