Role of table salt in management of umbilical granuloma: An interventional study.

Umbilical granuloma is a benign growth composed of granulation tissue at the base of umbilicus presents as red, soft, moist and friable lump at umbilicus. Objectives: Objective of our study is to evaluate the therapeutic role of table salt in umbilical granuloma in infants. Study Design: A Prospective Interventional Study. Setting: Outpatient Department of Pediatric Surgery, Bacha Khan Medical Complex (BKMC) Swabi. Period: Seventeen months (from 1st October 2017 to 31st March 2019). Material & Methods: First 66 consecutive fit infant were included in the study. Parents of infants were taught to apply a pinch of table salt on umbilical granuloma after cleaning with warm water. A dressing was applied over umbilicus for 30 minutes for the table salt to remain on granuloma and granuloma washed again with warm water. Parents’ learning was assured and they were advised to repeat the procedure twice a day for consecutive five days. Parents were counseled to bring their infants for follow up at end of week and then after completion of three weeks. Result: Out of 66 infants, 30 were male and 36 were female. We observed complete resolution of granuloma in all infants except one that turned out umbilical polyp and was excised under general anesthesia. Conclusion: Treatment of umbilical granuloma with table salt is safe, simple and very economical.