Periumbilical Erythema

When "dry cord care" is the standard practice (no application of alcohol or triple dye), there are a number of infants who have a small rim of erythema around the drying cord. Although this should be monitored to be sure progression does not occur to omphalitis, this minimal redness is thought to be related to the normal wbc infiltration that occurs naturally in the process of cord separation. These otherwise well infants do not need evaluation.

photo by Janelle Aby, MD