Chlorhexidine for prevention of neonatal colonization with group B streptococci. V. Chlorhexidine concentrations in blood following vaginal washing during delivery

• Chlorhexidine 2 g/l was applied to the vagina of 96 women during delivery, whereas 28 served as controls. Both groups were given a shower using a chlorhexidine soap, and outer washing of the outer anogenital tract was also performed in all patients using chlorhexidine 2 g/l. Using a gas chromatographic method with a detection limit of 10 ng chlorhexidine per ml blood, 10-83 ng/ml was demonstrated in 34 (35%) of the study group patients, whereas the remaining study group patients and controls showed no detectable chlorhexidine. Performing the washing a second time after 6 hours in 14 patients and a third time in 3 patients after a further 6 hours did not result in increased serum levels. It was concluded that small amounts of chlorhexidine are absorbed through the vaginal mucosa and that chlorhexidine is not accumulated in the blood on repeated usage with 6 hour intervals during delivery.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Chlorhexidine

Vaginal application

Gas chromatography

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)