The effectiveness of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of surgical site infections in neonates

Abstract Background and objective Newborns are particularly vulnerable to infection-related complications, including surgical site infections (SSIs). Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) demonstrates efficacy in reducing infant sepsis in resource-constrained settings. This study evaluated the effectiveness...

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Main Authors: Tayseer Mostafa Gad, Khaled Mohamed El-Asmar, Nehal Mohamed El-Raggal, Filsan Abdi Mahmoud, Ayah Mohamed Shabana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:Egyptian Pediatric Association Gazette
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43054-025-00399-y
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author Tayseer Mostafa Gad
Khaled Mohamed El-Asmar
Nehal Mohamed El-Raggal
Filsan Abdi Mahmoud
Ayah Mohamed Shabana
author_facet Tayseer Mostafa Gad
Khaled Mohamed El-Asmar
Nehal Mohamed El-Raggal
Filsan Abdi Mahmoud
Ayah Mohamed Shabana
author_sort Tayseer Mostafa Gad
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and objective Newborns are particularly vulnerable to infection-related complications, including surgical site infections (SSIs). Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) demonstrates efficacy in reducing infant sepsis in resource-constrained settings. This study evaluated the effectiveness of preoperative bathing with 2% CHG compared to non-irritant plain soap in reducing postoperative wound infections following clean/clean-contaminated surgeries. Patients and methods This randomized trial involved 50 full-term newborns undergoing clean/clean-contaminated surgeries. Subjects were divided into two groups: CHG (2% chlorhexidine gluconate baths) and control (soap baths) groups, both administrated preoperatively. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSIs, while secondary outcomes included overall clinical parameters and the safety profile. Results The Chlorhexidine group showed lower rates of SSIs, mortality, and hospital stays (P < 0.01, 0.034, 0.041 respectively). Furthermore, patients in the CHG group required less postoperative mechanical ventilation and central line insertion (P < 0.05 for both). The application of CHG was also associated with a higher incidence of negative blood and wound cultures, with only transient, localized erythema occurring in only four treated neonates. Conclusion Preoperative bathing with 2% CHG significantly reduced postoperative SSIs in full-term neonates recovering from clean or clean-contaminated operations while demonstrating an excellent safety profile in this population.
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spelling doaj-art-d6acb6a1d2db458c97bd12cf30a764c62025-08-20T03:37:23ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Pediatric Association Gazette2090-99422025-07-017311510.1186/s43054-025-00399-yThe effectiveness of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of surgical site infections in neonatesTayseer Mostafa Gad0Khaled Mohamed El-Asmar1Nehal Mohamed El-Raggal2Filsan Abdi Mahmoud3Ayah Mohamed Shabana4Ain Shams University HospitalsAin Shams University HospitalsAin Shams University HospitalsBenadir UniversitySuez UniversityAbstract Background and objective Newborns are particularly vulnerable to infection-related complications, including surgical site infections (SSIs). Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) demonstrates efficacy in reducing infant sepsis in resource-constrained settings. This study evaluated the effectiveness of preoperative bathing with 2% CHG compared to non-irritant plain soap in reducing postoperative wound infections following clean/clean-contaminated surgeries. Patients and methods This randomized trial involved 50 full-term newborns undergoing clean/clean-contaminated surgeries. Subjects were divided into two groups: CHG (2% chlorhexidine gluconate baths) and control (soap baths) groups, both administrated preoperatively. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSIs, while secondary outcomes included overall clinical parameters and the safety profile. Results The Chlorhexidine group showed lower rates of SSIs, mortality, and hospital stays (P < 0.01, 0.034, 0.041 respectively). Furthermore, patients in the CHG group required less postoperative mechanical ventilation and central line insertion (P < 0.05 for both). The application of CHG was also associated with a higher incidence of negative blood and wound cultures, with only transient, localized erythema occurring in only four treated neonates. Conclusion Preoperative bathing with 2% CHG significantly reduced postoperative SSIs in full-term neonates recovering from clean or clean-contaminated operations while demonstrating an excellent safety profile in this population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43054-025-00399-yChlorhexidine gluconateSurgical site infectionsInfection controlWound sepsis
spellingShingle Tayseer Mostafa Gad
Khaled Mohamed El-Asmar
Nehal Mohamed El-Raggal
Filsan Abdi Mahmoud
Ayah Mohamed Shabana
The effectiveness of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of surgical site infections in neonates
Egyptian Pediatric Association Gazette
Chlorhexidine gluconate
Surgical site infections
Infection control
Wound sepsis
title The effectiveness of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of surgical site infections in neonates
title_full The effectiveness of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of surgical site infections in neonates
title_fullStr The effectiveness of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of surgical site infections in neonates
title_full_unstemmed The effectiveness of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of surgical site infections in neonates
title_short The effectiveness of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of surgical site infections in neonates
title_sort effectiveness of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of surgical site infections in neonates
topic Chlorhexidine gluconate
Surgical site infections
Infection control
Wound sepsis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43054-025-00399-y
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