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What Causes Puss Around The Naval Of An Infant?
Question: My son is 8 days old. Yesterday his umbilical cord came off. We notice some puss around his naval. Attached is the picture. Is this normal or does this require special attention? Please advise.
Brief Answer:
Umbilical granuloma - secondary infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi....I have seen the image you provided. It looks like umbilical granuloma. But there's pus around it and it seems to be secondarily infected.
If I were your kid's pediatrician I would consider prescribing Mupirocin ointment for local application thrice a day for 7 days. But before starting this antibiotic application I would order a pus culture and Grams stain. The results would guide us on further management.
I have a few questions for you -
1. Is there any fever?
2. How is his feeding - normal or decreased?
3. Is there any swelling around the umbilicus?
4. How is his activity?
Kindly get back with answers and I will be glad to guide you.
Umbilical granuloma - secondary infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi....I have seen the image you provided. It looks like umbilical granuloma. But there's pus around it and it seems to be secondarily infected.
If I were your kid's pediatrician I would consider prescribing Mupirocin ointment for local application thrice a day for 7 days. But before starting this antibiotic application I would order a pus culture and Grams stain. The results would guide us on further management.
I have a few questions for you -
1. Is there any fever?
2. How is his feeding - normal or decreased?
3. Is there any swelling around the umbilicus?
4. How is his activity?
Kindly get back with answers and I will be glad to guide you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
1. There is no fever
2. His feeding is normal
3. There is no swelling around the umbilicus, as you can see in the pictur
4. His activity is normal
We had noticied some puss from the day one itself, which was more like stickyness and now it is prominent since the cord has dropped.e
2. His feeding is normal
3. There is no swelling around the umbilicus, as you can see in the pictur
4. His activity is normal
We had noticied some puss from the day one itself, which was more like stickyness and now it is prominent since the cord has dropped.e
Brief Answer:
Use Mupirocin after pus culture
Detailed Answer:
Hi...then, I suggest you do a pus culture and Grams stain and then start Mupirocin as suggested by me for a week.
It will improve. If at any point of time the signs develop - which u have inquired about in my last interaction, kindly approach your pediatrician.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Use Mupirocin after pus culture
Detailed Answer:
Hi...then, I suggest you do a pus culture and Grams stain and then start Mupirocin as suggested by me for a week.
It will improve. If at any point of time the signs develop - which u have inquired about in my last interaction, kindly approach your pediatrician.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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