Octenidine or Sterile Water Cleansing and Late-Onset Sepsis in Neonates in the NICU: A Randomized Clinical - Scorecard - MDSpire

Octenidine or Sterile Water Cleansing and Late-Onset Sepsis in Neonates in the NICU: A Randomized Clinical

  • By

  • Shreya Udavant

  • Suprabha Patnaik

  • Sanjay Lalwani

  • Pradeep Suryawanshi

  • Rupeshkumar Deshmukh

  • July 15, 2026

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Clinical Scorecard: Comparison of Octenidine and Sterile Water for Cleansing to Address Late-Onset Sepsis in NICU Neonates: A Randomized Clinical Trial

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionLate-onset sepsis (LOS)
Key MechanismsColonization of neonatal skin and mucous membranes with pathogenic microorganisms leading to bloodstream invasion.
Target PopulationNeonates admitted to NICUs within 48 hours of birth.
Care SettingNeonatal intensive care units (NICUs)

Key Highlights

  • LOS affects 0.6% to 14.2% of neonates in NICUs.
  • Octenidine shows faster bactericidal activity and longer residual effects compared to chlorhexidine.
  • The study evaluates the efficacy of octenidine versus sterile water in preventing LOS.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis of LOS should be based on clinical and laboratory criteria.

Management

  • Daily cleansing with octenidine or sterile water as part of infection control measures.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Monitor for signs of infection and sepsis in neonates.

Risks

  • Consider risks associated with skin antisepsis in neonates, including potential adverse reactions.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Neonates of all gestational ages admitted to NICUs.

Octenidine wipes (0.1% concentration) used for cleansing; sterile water as control.

Clinical Best Practices

  • Implement standardized cleansing protocols in NICUs.
  • Ensure proper hand hygiene among healthcare workers to reduce pathogen transmission.

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