Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO recommendations on maternal health: guidelines approved by the WHO Guidelines Review Committee, second edition. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025
Year of Publication2023
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
Daily application of 4% chlorhexidine (7.1% chlorhexidine digluconate aqueous solution or gel, delivering 4% chlorhexidine) to the umbilical cord stump in the first week after birth is recommended only in settings where harmful traditional substances (e.g. animal dung) are commonly used on the umbilical cord.
Context specific recommendation
Only in specific contexts
Certainty of evidence
Low