Question
A one-week-old baby has blood stains on the umbilical cord but is not swollen, and the baby is not crying. I would like to inquire whether this situation is normal and what precautions should be taken.
Answer
A newborn one week old may have blood stains on the umbilical cord without any swelling, which is usually considered normal if no pus-like discharge is present. However, if pus-like discharge is observed, it may indicate an infection. Since newborns have limited ability to express themselves, crying alone should not be used to determine the condition. If pus-like discharge is noticed from the umbilical cord area, there may be an infection. Treatment with cefixime granules and cleaning the umbilical cord with disinfectants such as iodine alcohol should be provided.