A case of gross neonatal omphalitis in the United Kingdom.

A 3260 gm. female, full-term infant was born on 3.1.73 in a general practitioner maternity unit, after a normal delivery. The cord was clamped shortly after birth with a Hollister clip and the infant fed well at the breast shortly afterwards. The cord stump was cleaned daily with surgical spirit after gentle bathing on a midwife's knee. The umbilicus was inspected daily by the nursing staff and its condition gave no cause for alarm during the first 6 days of life. On the sixth day, when the infant weighed 3120 gms., she was examined by the family doctor who found a "click" in the right hip. At this time no other abnormality was noted though the cord had separated. The following day the infant's temperature was 38.50C and the abdomen was noted to be tender, red and hard around the umbilical wound. This was then dusted with neomycin/ bacitracin powder (cicatrin) and the doctor arranged transfer to the Neonatal Unit at the Belfast City Hospital.