Comparison of the effects of povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine solutions on skin bacterial flora among hospitalized infants

BACKGROUND: Infection control is an essential part of caring for hospitalized infants. With regard to the change of bacterial resistance over time and places, as well as the need for periodic studies on the effectiveness of antiseptics, this study aims to compare the effects of both solutions of povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine on skin bacterial flora among hospitalized infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial recruited 98 hospitalized infants and each of the above-mentioned solutions has been applied to a small area in the left or right side of the infants’ bodies. Skin cultures were taken before, immediately after and 2 h after the randomly chosen infants’ skin areas that were disinfected by each solution (588 skin cultures in total). Colony count and determination of microorganism types were done by only one person in a single laboratory. The study has been conducted in two teaching hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. RESULTS: Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common microorganism prior to skin disinfection by either solution. Two hours after disinfection, “Staphylococcus epidermidis” and “Staphylococcus epidermidis and kelebsila” had the highest frequencies of 3.1% and 3.1%, respectively. Before and 2 h after disinfection, distribution of different types of microorganisms had no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.84 and 0.13, respectively); however, the difference was significant immediately after disinfection, P < 0.01. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that 10% povidone-iodine solution has more significant effect on reduction of skin pathogens promptly after application compared to 2% chlorhexidine. Therefore, prior to any catheterization procedures, it is imperative to use 10% povidone-iodine solutions for skin disinfection.