HEXACHLOROPHENE TOXICITY, THE NEW‐BORN CHILD AND THE STAPHYLOCOCCUS

Abstract

The toxicity of hexachlorophene by ingestion and dermal absorption is reviewed. Its antiseptic properties are discussed, and a report is presented of 12 years’ experience using 3% hexachlorophene emulsions in antiseptic skin care of new‐born infants for the control of staphylococcal disease in a maternity hospital. No toxic reactions to hexachlorophene were observed in 24,322 infants who were submitted to such antiseptic skin care during the years 1960 to 1971. A retrospective review is presented of the macroscopic and microscopic findings in 226 neonatal and postnatal deaths occurring in these infants. No macroscopic or microscopic evidence of central nervous system damage such as that described as being due to hexachlorophene was observed in any infant. We are concerned lest there be an overreaction to recent reports concerning hexachlorophene toxicity. We make the following recommendations: 1. Antiseptic skin care of newborn infants with hexachlorophene emulsions should continue in maternity hospitals in Australia. 2. Methods of antiseptic skin care with hexachlorophene‐containing emulsions should include a final washing off of the emulsion with water. 3. Antiseptic skin care must take place only while the newborn infant is in hospital, and must not be continued at home. Extended use in hospital should be generally avoided. 4. Newborn infants’ clothing should be changed only immediately after the application of hexachorophene emulsions.