Umbilical Cord Care: A Tool to Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Prevention

Intra-uterine life can never be complete without the unique presence and function of umbilical cord that connects the baby to implanted placenta in the mother. At birth the placenta is ligated and the stump expected to fall off within 5 to 15days. Within this period, the neonate is susceptible to infection via the cord. Hence the need for optimal umbilical cord care practices for newborns and during the first week of life will help to prevent neonatal infection. Mothers care for their babies’ cords in different ways but their cord care practices may be beneficial, harmless or harmful to their infants. It is the duty of health professionals or the health educators in the health facilities which they accessed during the antenatal period to enlighten them on best practices regarding umbilical cord care.

Keywords: Umbilical Cord, Care, Neonatal Morbidity, Neonatal Mortality, Prevention,