Effective home treatment of umbilical granuloma using table salt in African children

Abstract

Introduction: Following the adoption of home based, table salt treatment for Umbilical granuloma in our practice, we observed that there was a paucity of report on the use of table salt for the treatment of Umbilical granuloma in African children. We report the outcome of treatment of eight children treated with Table salt in our facility.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective review of the medical records of infants who were diagnosed with umbilical granuloma and were managed using table salt in our hospital in 2019 and 2020. Additional data about diagnosis, treatment and outcome were extracted from records of electronic communications via emails and WhatsApp® between the Paediatrician and caregivers of these infants. Written informed consent of caregivers of the infants were obtained and the study received approval of the Research and Ethics Committee of our Hospital.

Results: Nine infants were diagnosed with Umbilical granuloma during the study period but informed consent was obtained for eight of them. All eight children (100%) treated with table salt had resolution of umbilical granuloma confirmed at the end of the treatment period without any adverse event.

Conclusion: Home based, Table salt treatment was found to be safe and effective treatment for umbilical granulomas among the children treated in our facility.