Silver Nitrate Versus Topical Steroid For Umbilical Granuloma

Umbilical granuloma is most frequent abnormality of umbilicus in infants with prevalence of 1 in 500 newborns.1 Umbilical granuloma is defined as a moist, fleshy and pink granulation tissue at the center of umbilicus.2,3 Many congenital conditions such as patent urachus and persistent vitellointestinal duct can mimic umbilical granuloma but they present with discharge of urine or feces having different smell from the umbilicus.4 Characteristically the granulomas become apparent after separation of umbilical cord. Once umbilical cord is clamped during delivery, a rapid separation begins and cord spontaneously detaches within7 to15 days and disappears by 2 to 3 weeks.1,5,6 Umbilical granuloma predominantly consists of fibroblasts, copious blood vessels, endothelial and inflammatory cells in an edematous stroma with no neural elements.3,7,8 Delayed cord separation i.e. persisting cord beyond 2 - 3 weeks, occurs in the presence of an ongoing subclinical or mild infection in umbilical stump, leading to granuloma formation.7,9 Most common symptoms of umbilical granuloma are small swelling and discharge. Physical examination shows a small 1 to 10mm, soft, friable, non-tender and pale pink lesion at base of umbilicus.10,11 It can be diagnosed easily with careful history, physical examination of umbilicus 5 and type of discharge and frequently requires no further investigation. If there is any doubt about diagnosis then other diagnostic modalities can be used such as, ultrasound abdomen, contrast studies and excisional biopsy can be used to rule out other anomalies of umbilicus including urachal anomalies, vitelline duct anomalies and benign soft tissue tumors of umbilicus.6,12-15 The most commonly used treatment for umbilical granuloma is silver nitrate cauterization. 4,12 Chemical burns to the periumbilical area, eyelids and pigmentation changes are reported complications of silver nitrate cauterization. Therefore clinic application of silver nitrate is advised on outdoor basis by trained health professionals.16-18 Various other treatment options for umbilical granuloma include dressing with alcohol and antiseptic solutions, topical table salt, topical steroid application, suture ligation, surgical excision, electrocautery and cryotherapy.5,12,15,19 Topical steroid ointment for the treatment of umbilical granuloma has gained wide attention due to its advantages of effectiveness and simplicity.20,21Topical steroid exerts anti-inflammatory effects and reduce the number of fibroblasts so its beneficial for treating umbilical granuloma.8,22 Topical steroids can be applied at home by parents requiring no supervision of health care professionals. However, prolonged 6 application of topical steroid can lead to skin infections, hypopigmentation, atrophy and Cushing syndrome so long term use should be avoided.4 In a study the healing rate after 3 weeks of treatment with topical steroid ointment were almost identical to that silver nitrate cauterization as 90.4% versus 91% with no major complication.23 Another study shows; The healing rate at 3 weeks after treatment with silver nitrate and clobetasol propionate 0.05%(steroid) were compatible as 96.6% and 90% respectively with mild side effects of skin pigmentation and atrophy.21 Although multiple studies are conducted to assess the efficacy of silver nitrate cauterization but limited study is available to compare the efficacy of topical steroid treatment for umbilical granuloma. My study may help to assess the efficacy of topical steroid ointment in the treatment of umbilical granuloma. Topical steroid ointment is easily available in market, it is cheaper and safer than silver nitrate. It may help to assure the parental satisfaction as they can apply it at home safely and may reduce the burden on hospital, moreover, no similar study has been conducted in our hospital yet, and thus it may be add to the limited clinical data available and improves patient care.