Reassessing Gentian Violet Application on the Umbilical Cord: Ally or Adversary?

Abstract

Background: Gentian violet, a traditional antiseptic, has been widely used for umbilical cord care due to its antimicrobial properties.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of gentian violet paint application on the umbilical cord in term institutional deliveries, specifically assessing its influence on cord separation time, the incidence of umbilical granuloma, and the occurrence of umbilical infections, in comparison to the dry cord care practice recommended in institutional settings.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2016 in four maternity centers in Karaikal, comprising two government institutions and two private institutions among 178 term healthy newborns (liquid gentian violet was applied to the umbilical cord) and 211 gestation-matched healthy newborns (practicing dry cord care).

Results: The mean (SD) birth weight of the newborns was 3.1 (0.30) kg, and the mean (SD) gestational age was 37.6 (1.5) weeks. All parameters were statistically comparable between the groups, except for the selection criteria related to gentian violet application. The results indicate a statistically significant higher rate of umbilical granuloma in the gentian violet application group compared to the dry cord care group. Additionally, the cord separation time was significantly prolonged in the study subjects compared to the controls, with mean values of 28.7 (11.6) days (p=0.015) and 15.6 (0.24) days (p=0.022), respectively. However, the incidence of umbilical infections between the two groups was not statistically significant, with a mean (SD) value of 1.6 (0.2) and a p-value of 1.612. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed an odds ratio of less than 1 for covariates, indicating that these factors were not significant in influencing cord separation time or the formation of umbilical granuloma.

Conclusion: The application of gentian violet paint in term institutional deliveries appears to be more detrimental than beneficial, as it significantly delays cord separation, increases the risk of umbilical granuloma formation, and does not provide substantial protection against omphalitis.