Chlorhexidine Cord Care for Newborn Infants in Kenya

Studies in several countries with a high rate of death of infants during the first week of life have found a reduction in infection and mortality when chlorhexidine is applied to the umbilical cord stump by a health worker within 24 hours of birth. This study will evaluate if providing chlorhexidine to pregnant women during a prenatal care visit for application to the cord stump after birth will be as effective for preventing omphalitis (infection of the umbilical cord stump) as sending a community health worker into the home to apply the chlorhexidine.