The incidence of bacteremia appears to be lower among critically ill children who receive daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing when compared with those who receive standard bathing. An analysis of nearly 5,000 pediatric ICU admissions demonstrated that the incidence of bacteremia was lower with CHG when compared with standard practices in both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. No serious study-related adverse events were recorded.

Abstract: Lancet, January 28, 2013 (online).

Author