espanolIntroduccion: Las infecciones del torrente sanguineo asociadas a cateter central en neonatos aumentan la morbimortalidad. La clorhexidina es un antiseptico de amplio espectro que disminuye la colonizacion bacteriana cutanea y las tasas de infeccion asociada a cateter en neonatos. Comparamos las tasas de infeccion con limpieza con clorhexidina acuosa frente a las medidas de higiene convencional. Metodologia: Estudio experimental prospectivo no aleatorizado de los neonatos con dispositivo intravascular central de la unidad de cuidados intensivos e intermedios neonatales del Hospital General de Medellin. En el grupo experimental se implemento una toalla desechable impregnada con clorhexidina acuosa al 2%, sin retirar ni enjuagar el producto; el control recibio el bano tradicional. La limpieza se inicio tras el primer dia de vida y a frecuencia interdiaria independiente del peso o la edad gestacional. El estudio duro 6 meses; en los tres primeros se realizo el bano con clorhexidina y en los ultimos los cuidados convencionales. Resultados: Participaron 133 pacientes, 61 en el grupo experimental y 72 en el control. En la mediana del peso al nacer (1.960 y 1.927 g) no hubo diferencia significativa (p= 0,905) entre ambos. El grupo experimental con clorhexidina tenia mas pacientes con ventilacion mecanica (42,6 vs. 15,35%) con una diferencia significativa (p= 0,001). No hubo diferencia en las medianas del tiempo de estancia hospitalaria y permanencia del cateter (p= 0,189 y 0,246). La tasa de infeccion del torrente sanguineo se redujo de 5,1 a 3,8 por 1.000 dias de cateter (p= 1,0), siendo el germen mas aislado Staphylococcus aureus meticilin-sensible. En el analisis secundario, la intervencion intraabdominal y los multiples accesos vasculares centrales fueron predictores de infeccion asociada al cateter. Conclusiones: La limpieza cutanea con clorhexidina acuosa al 2% es una medida que puede reducir la infeccion asociada a cateter. Fue segura en neonatos de mas de 25 semanas y mas de 650 g desde el segundo dia de vida. EnglishIntroduction: Central line associated bloodstream infections increase mortality in neonates. Chlorhexidine is a wide spectrum antiseptic that decreases bacterial colonization and central line infection in newborns. We compared central line associated bloodstream infection rate in neonates with chlorhexidine wipes and neonates with conventional hygiene measures. Methodology: A prospective, nonrandomized experimental study was carried out, including all neonates with intravascular device of central location who were in the intensive and intermediate neonatal care unit of the General Hospital of Medellin. In the experimental group, a disposable towel impregnated with 2% aqueous chlorhexidine was implemented per patient, without removing or rinsing the product; the control group received the traditional bath. The clean-up started after the first day of life and the frequency was inter-day independent of weight or gestational age. The study time was six months, during August 2017 to January 2018; in the first three the bath was carried out with chlorhexidine and in the last the conventional care. Results: A total of 133 patients participated, 61 experimental group and 72 control group. In the median birth weight (1960 and 1927 grams) there was no significant difference (p= 0.905) between both groups. The experimental group had more patients with mechanical ventilation (42.6% vs. 15.35) with significant difference (p= 0.001). There was no difference in the median length of hospital stay and the length of the catheter stay (p= 0.189 and 0.246). The rate of infection of the bloodstream was reduced from 5.1 to 3.8 per 1,000 catheter days (p= 1.0); the most commonly isolated germ being methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. In the secondary analysis, the intra-abdominal intervention and the multiple central vascular accesses were predictors of infection associated with the catheter. Conclusions: Cutaneous cleansing with 2% aqueous chlorhexidine is a measure that can contribute to reduce the rates of catheter-associated infection. It was also safe in neonates older than 25 weeks and weighing more than 650 grams from the second day of life.