umbilical infection
Last reviewed 01/2018
- presentation may be with umbilical erythema and discharge. Umbilical infection may occur with an umbilical granuloma.
- localised umbilical infection may be treated with topical antibiotics e.g. fusidic acid cream tds.
- a more severe local infection, where there is evidence of wider skin involvement or a purulent discharge, will require oral antibiotic therapy e.g. a five-day course of flucloxacillin 62.5 mg qds.
- a neonate who is systemically unwell with an umbilical infection should be admitted to hospital for blood cultures and intravenous antibiotics.