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.