Umbilical Cord Care in Term Neonates: The Role of Wondaleaf Adhesive Pouch (WLAP)

Background: Neonatal death was the serious global burden with three-quarter of it was attributable to neonatal sepsis. It was estimated that the annual incidence cases have reached 1.3 million and posed significant economic impact to many low-income and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Wondaleaf Adhesive Pouch (WLAP) in the prevention of umbilical cord infection among full-term neonates. Methods: This is a prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted in one hospital located in state of Kedah, Malaysia on 218 term neonates in which 109 each was randomly assigned to interventional and conventional group. The Wondaleaf Adhesive Pouch (WLAP) dressings were applied to umbilical stumps of the term neonates in interventional group by trained midwife on the first day immediate after delivery. Mothers or caregivers will be taught to observe the umbilical stump the subsequent days till the stump detached. The observations are supported by photographic images taken by caregiver to be evaluated by the trial team and reporting inflammation with immediately removal of WLAP or otherwise no sign of infection till the detachment of stump. Results and conclusion will be reported after completion of the study.