Umbilical Cord as Reservoir of Infection in a Maternity Hospital

[摘要] This paper is concerned with the problem of cross-infection by Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus (Staph. aureus) amongst newborn infants. It is pointed out that the problem may be approached from either the elimination of reservoirs of infection where the organisms flourish or interruption of the routes by which they are spread. The umbilical cord and nose of the infant were cultured to determine which site was infected first; the cord was almost always infected before or at the same time as the nose. Control studies were then undertaken to determine whether painting the cord stumps with bactericidal dyes would influence the spread of infection. Cultures from the nose and skin of the treated and untreated groups were compared. Treatment of the umbilical cord stump with bactericidal dyes resulted in a significant reduction in the positive cultures obtained from the nose and skin. Groups of infants were studied in several different ways to determine the relative importance of preventing cross-infection by blocking routes of transfer and by eliminating reservoirs of infection. It is concluded that local treatment of the umbilical cord stump constitutes an effective contribution to elimination of cross-infection with M. pyogenes when applied simultaneously with other known methods of control. This article deserves careful consideration by those concerned with the prevention of cross-infection in nurseries.

[学科分类] 儿科学