[Treatment of umbilical granuloma with table salt].

INTRODUCTION

Umbilical granulomas are common in newborns. In The Netherlands, they are commonly treated with silver nitrate. Elsewhere, table salt (sodium chloride) is also used for this purpose. We investigated whether treatment with table salt is effective and feasible for parents.

METHODS

For this study, we approached parents of newborns with an umbilical granuloma. We demonstrated the treatment once and asked the parents to apply table salt to the granuloma twice daily for three days. We assessed the results 14 days after the start of the treatment. We asked parents about the results, side effects, their satisfaction, and whether they found the treatment feasible.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight children participated in this study, and after fourteen days, the granuloma had disappeared in 25 (89%). In nine children (32%), the surrounding skin showed transient reddening. According to 24 parents (86%), the treatment was feasible, and 23 of them (82%) were satisfied with the results.

DISCUSSION: Parental application of table salt is an appealing alternative to silver nitrate in the treatment of umbilical granuloma.