The effectiveness of single and multiple applications of triple dye on umbilical cord separation time

The effectiveness of single and multiple applications of triple dye for umb ilical cord care in the umbilical cord separation time (UCST) was evaluated in 180 neonates. Seven neonates were excluded, three where the cord stump separation time was uncertain and four to whom contact was lost. The partic ipating neonates were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1, 101 neonate s, were treated with a regimen of a single application of triple dye. Group 2, 79 neonates, were treated with multiple applications of triple dye. Complete information was obtained from 97 neonates (96.2%) in group 1 and 7 6 (96%) in group 2. The UCST was 12.6 +/- 0.45 (mean +/- SE) days in group I and 16.68 +/- 0.65 days in group 2 (p , 0.0001) and showed no significant association with infants' gender, mode of delivery, gravidity, gestational age, birth weight, or hospital stay. Conclusion A single application of triple dye may be a more favourable regi men with a similarly antimicrobial effect, a shorter UCST and may be more c ost effective than multiple applications of triple dye in umbilical cord ca re.