Chlorhexidine for Skin Cleansing in Neonates - NPPG

Released on - 25/10/2021

Take Home Summary:

• In babies born before 34 weeks' gestation and who are under 7 days old, use aqueous solutions of 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate for skin preparation.
• In babies born from 34 weeks' gestation onwards and for those babies born before 34 weeks' gestation who are now 7 days or older, use a solution of 2% chlorhexidine in isopropyl alcohol for skin preparation.
• Irrespective of the skin preparation solution used, it is critical to avoid pooling on the skin and surfaces (such as incubator or cot sheets) which may come into contact with the baby’s skin. For this reason the use of an applicator device is recommended wherever possible.

Read more on the attached document.