What do systematic reviews say?

Bathing of the critically ill with chlorhexidine vs bathing with soap and water or non‐antimicrobial washcloths

• Chlorhexidine bathing of the critically ill for the prevention of hospital‐acquired infection 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  5 studies · 6365 participants
  Very low

Chlorhexidine (vaginal wash or gel/cream) vs placebo or no treatment

It is very uncertain whether chlorhexidine (vaginal wash or gel/cream) changes adverse (mild) effects in the mother compared with placebo or no treatment (very low certainty).

• Vaginal chlorhexidine during labour to prevent early‐onset neonatal group B streptococcal infection 2014 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 8.5 [1.6, 45.28]
  3 studies · 1066 participants
  Very low

Chlorhexidine (vaginal wash or gel/cream) vs placebo or no treatment

• Vaginal chlorhexidine during labour to prevent early‐onset neonatal group B streptococcal infection 2014 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  3 studies · 1066 participants
  GRADE not reported

Chlorhexidine dressing following alcohol cleansing vs polyurethane dressing following aqueous povidone‐iodine cleansing

Chlorhexidine dressing following alcohol cleansing probably leads to higher adverse effects: contact dermatitis compared with polyurethane dressing following aqueous povidone‐iodine cleansing (moderate certainty).

• Antimicrobial dressings for the prevention of catheter‐related infections in newborn infants with central venous… 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 43.06 [2.61, 710.44]
  1 study · 670 participants
  Moderate