Patient's question:
The baby has been 16 days old today since birth. At first, everything was fine, and no symptoms were noticed. But today, there was bleeding from the umbilical cord, and it has happened four times already. Alcohol has been used to clean it every day, but it hasn't helped. What should be done?Doctor's answer:
Bleeding from the umbilical cord in infants is caused by the ligation, cutting, detachment, and occlusion of the umbilical cord vessels. However, if the baby frequently cries and the intra-abdominal pressure remains persistently high, these vessels may not fully open, and a small amount of bleeding may appear on the baby's clothing. In this case, simply wipe the umbilical cord bloodstains with 75% ethanol (medical alcohol), then cover the area with sterile gauze and bandage the umbilical cord. Typically, it can be treated within a few days. No hemostatic medication is needed, but local cleanliness and hygiene should be maintained to prevent bacterial infection.