Efficacy Study Comparing 2% Chlorhexidine in 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Versus 2% Aqueous Chlorhexidine

Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of two different antiseptic solutions (2%chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol with 2% aqueous chlorhexidine)when used in a standardized controlled manner in cleansing the skin of infants with birth weight less than 1500 grams prior to a skin breaking procedure (venepuncture). The investigators hypothesize that the use of limited amount of 2% aqueous chlorhexidine solution will be as effective as the same amount of 2% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol for skin antisepsis and that limited exposure to 2% aqueous CHG may be associated with less adverse skin reactions. Literature from adults has shown that both 2% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol as well as 2% aqueous chlorhexidine can provide effective skin antisepsis though alcohol containing solution had more long lasting effect. It is also well known from many case reports that alcohol containing products when used to clean abdominal skin for neonatal procedures can cause severe skin damage in preterm infants. This has lead many neonatal units to adopt aqueous chlorhexidine as the antiseptic agent of choice without robust evidence to support its use or standardization of method of application.Both these solutions are widely used in neonatal intensive care units across the globe including Canada. By conducting this trial, the investigators want to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2% aqueous chlorhexidine as an antiseptic agent when used in a controlled manner \[limited amount for short duration\].

Timeline

Start

2011-01

Primary completion

2014-01

Completion

2014-01

Publications

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• Background Chaiyakunapruk N, Veenstra DL, Lipsky BA, Saint S. Chlorhexidine compared with povidone-iodine solution for vascular catheter-site care: a meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2002 Jun 4;136(11):792-801. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-136-11-200206040-00007.
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• Background Hibbard JS, Mulberry GK, Brady AR. A clinical study comparing the skin antisepsis and safety of ChloraPrep, 70% isopropyl alcohol, and 2% aqueous chlorhexidine. J Infus Nurs. 2002 Jul-Aug;25(4):244-9. doi: 10.1097/00129804-200207000-00007.
• Background Malathi I, Millar MR, Leeming JP, Hedges A, Marlow N. Skin disinfection in preterm infants. Arch Dis Child. 1993 Sep;69(3 Spec No):312-6. doi: 10.1136/adc.69.3_spec_no.312.
• Background Garland JS, Buck RK, Maloney P, Durkin DM, Toth-Lloyd S, Duffy M, Szocik P, McAuliffe TL, Goldmann D. Comparison of 10% povidone-iodine and 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate for the prevention of peripheral intravenous catheter colonization in neonates: a prospective trial. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1995 Jun;14(6):510-6. doi: 10.1097/00006454-199506000-00008.
• Background Baumgartner C, Constant H, Putet G, Aulagner G. Cutaneous antiseptic efficacy of two ethanol chlorhexidine dilutions for neonatal venepuncture. Journal De Pharmacie Clinique 1998;17:109-12.
• Background Linder N, Prince S, Barzilai A, Keller N, Klinger G, Shalit I, Prince T, Sirota L. Disinfection with 10% povidone-iodine versus 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropanol in the neonatal intensive care unit. Acta Paediatr. 2004 Feb;93(2):205-10. doi: 10.1080/08035250310008159.
• Background Lilley C, Powls A, Gray A. A prospective randomised double blind Comparison of 0.5% versus 0.05% aqueous Chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis prior to line insertion in neonates. Arch. Dis. Child. 2006;91;17-19.
• Background Garland JS, Alex CP, Uhing MR, Peterside IE, Rentz A, Harris MC. Pilot trial to compare tolerance of chlorhexidine gluconate to povidone-iodine antisepsis for central venous catheter placement in neonates. J Perinatol. 2009 Dec;29(12):808-13. doi: 10.1038/jp.2009.161. Epub 2009 Oct 8.
• Background Mannan K, Chow P, Lissauer T, Godambe S. Mistaken identity of skin cleansing solution leading to extensive chemical burns in an extremely preterm infant. Acta Paediatr. 2007 Oct;96(10):1536-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00376.x. Epub 2007 Aug 28.
• Background Reynolds PR, Banerjee S, Meek JH. Alcohol burns in extremely low birthweight infants: still occurring. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2005 Jan;90(1):F10. doi: 10.1136/adc.2004.054338. No abstract available.
• Background Upadhyayula S, Kambalapalli M, Harrison CJ. Safety of anti-infective agents for skin preparation in premature infants. Arch Dis Child. 2007 Jul;92(7):646-7. doi: 10.1136/adc.2007.117002. No abstract available.
• Background Datta MK, Clarke P. Current practices in skin antisepsis for central venous catheterisation in UK tertiary-level neonatal units. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2008 Jul;93(4):F328. doi: 10.1136/adc.2008.137430. No abstract available.
• Background Keyworth N, Millar MR, Holland KT. Swab-wash method for quantitation of cutaneous microflora. J Clin Microbiol. 1990 May;28(5):941-3. doi: 10.1128/jcm.28.5.941-943.1990.
• Background Maki DG, Ringer M. Evaluation of dressing regimens for prevention of infection with peripheral intravenous catheters. Gauze, a transparent polyurethane dressing, and an iodophor-transparent dressing. JAMA. 1987 Nov 6;258(17):2396-403.
• Jain A, Deshpande P, Yoon EW, Lee KS, McGeer A, Shah V. 2% aqueous vs alcohol-based chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis in VLBW neonates undergoing peripheral venipuncture: a non-inferiority trial. J Perinatol. 2022 May;42(5):636-641. doi: 10.1038/s41372-022-01337-1. Epub 2022 Feb 19.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.