CARE OF THE UMBILICAL CORD

A brief review of the literature

World Health Organization

Triple dye is a combination of brilliant green (2.29 mg/ml), proflavine hemisulfate (1.14 mg/ml) and gentian violet (2.29 mg/ml). It is bacteriostatic against gram-positive bacteria but less effective against gram-negative bacteria. It is fungicidal but has weak virucidal activity and is not sporicidal. It colours the skin bright purple. Triple dye has the advantage of a prolonged antibacterial effect after a single application.

In several studies, triple dye was found to be more effective in reducing umbilical colonization by staphylococcal and streptococcal organisms in hospital nurseries than :

Alcohol, Pages B. Jones C C: An audit of the effective two cord care regimens on bacteria colonization in new born infants. Quality Review Bulletin 1987 13(3): 109-113

Hexachlorophene, Pildes R S et al: Effect of Triple Dye on staphylococcal colonization in the newborn infant. Journal of Pediatrics 1973 82: 987-990

Bacitracin ointment, Andrich M P, Golden S M: A study of bacitrin ointment vs. Triple Dye. Clinical Pediatrics 1984 23:342-344

Povidone-iodine, Deloache W et al: Prophylactic treatment of umbilical stump: comparison of techniques. Southern Medical Journal 1976, 619-627

Triple Dye is effective even if applied only once. Triple dye has also been shown to reduce colonization by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) although it could not totally eradicate the organism.

* This is a reproduction of an article published by the World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland 1999

Triple Dye Pin-Point Applicator, Single Use Umbilical Disinfectant is available from William Laboratories, Inc. 800-767-7643