RESUMO
To compare cord bacterial colonization and cord separation time among newborns whose cords were treated with Alcohol 70% versus dry cord care. The participating neonates in the two hospitals affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences of Iran were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1, had 36 neonates and Group had 41 neonates, who were treated with dry cord care and Alcohol 70% methods respectively. In the dry cord care group infant were significantly colonized with group B Streptococcus [58.3% vs 35% p=0.042], Staphylococcus epidermidis [86.7% vs 61% p=0.020] and Escherichio coil [88.9% vs 67.5% p=0.025]. There were no cases of local umbilical infection in either group. There was no significant correlation between separation time of umbilical cord and the two methods of the care. Based on the present study, bacterial colonization was higher in dry cord care group. There is, therefore, potential risk in discontinuing bacterial treatment of the umbilical cord stump