Diaper rash: managing and controlling a common problem in infants and toddlers

An Adaptation of the Skin Safety Model to Guide Diaper Dermatitis Research in the NICU

Diaper dermatitis is an ever-present condition among infants. Little is known about the prevalence among infants in the NICU. This article presents an adaptation of the skin safety model (SSM) for the infant in the NICU. The concepts of the model were extracted, defined, and integrated into an adapted SSM model to provide a focus on the infant with diaper dermatitis in the intensive care setting. It is essential to include all factors of the infant's clinical characteristics and hospital experience in the modeling to accurately predict risk of skin vulnerability in this infant population.

Clinical effect of hydrocolloid dressings in prevention and treatment of infant diaper rash

The aim of the study was to investigate the application of hydrocolloid dressings in the prevention and treatment of infant diaper rash. A total of 210 infants with diaper rash were included in the study and randomized into 3 groups of 70 infants. Infants in group A received hydrocolloid dressings and individualized nursing; infants in group B received mupirocin plaster and topical application of pearl powder as well as routine nursing; and infants in group C received zinc oxide plaster and routine nursing. The clinical efficacy, incidence of adverse events, time to resolution of diaper rash, hospitalization duration, mean cost and satisfaction of nursing were compared between the 3 groups. After 1 cycle of treatment and nursing, the difference in the healing rate of mild diaper rash between groups A, B and C was significant (P<0.05), with the best healing rate in group A. Differences in the healing rate of grade I and II diaper rash between groups A, B and C was significant (P<0.05), with the best healing rate in group A. The incidence of adverse events in infants between groups A, B and C were significantly different (P<0.05), with the lowest incidence in group A (2.9%). The time to resolution of diaper rash, hospitalization duration and cost in infants were not significantly different (P<0.05). The satisfaction rate of nursing for the parents of groups A, B and C was 98.6, 87.1 and 80.0%, respectively (P<0.05). Hydrocolloid dressings combined with individualized nursing may prevent and treat infant diaper rash effectively, decrease the incidence of adverse reactions significantly, shorten time to resolution of diaper rash and hospitalization duration, reduce mean hospitalization cost, improve parent satisfaction and promote nursing-patient harmony. Thus, this method of treatment was worthy of clinical application.

Effect on skin hydration of using baby wipes to clean the napkin area of newborn babies: assessor-blinded randomised controlled equivalence trial

BACKGROUND

Some national guidelines recommend the use of water alone for napkin cleansing. Yet, there is a readiness, amongst many parents, to use baby wipes. Evidence from randomised controlled trials, of the effect of baby wipes on newborn skin integrity is lacking. We conducted a study to examine the hypothesis that the use of a specifically formulated cleansing wipe on the napkin area of newborn infants (<1 month) has an equivalent effect on skin hydration when compared with using cotton wool and water (usual care).

METHODS

A prospective, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled equivalence trial was conducted during 2010. Healthy, term babies (n=280), recruited within 48 hours of birth, were randomly assigned to have their napkin area cleansed with an alcohol-free baby wipe (140 babies) or cotton wool and water (140 babies). Primary outcome was change in hydration from within 48 hours of birth to 4 weeks post-birth. Secondary outcomes comprised changes in trans-epidermal water loss, skin surface pH and erythema, presence of microbial skin contaminants/irritants at 4 weeks and napkin dermatitis reported by midwife at 4 weeks and mother during the 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Complete hydration data were obtained for 254 (90.7 %) babies. Wipes were shown to be equivalent to water and cotton wool in terms of skin hydration (intention-to-treat analysis: wipes 65.4 (SD 12.4) vs. water 63.5 (14.2), p=0.47, 95% CI -2.5 to 4.2; per protocol analysis: wipes 64.6 (12.4) vs. water 63.6 (14.3), p=0.53, 95% CI -2.4 to 4.2). No significant differences were found in the secondary outcomes, except for maternal-reported napkin dermatitis, which was higher in the water group (p=0.025 for complete responses).

CONCLUSIONS

Baby wipes had an equivalent effect on skin hydration when compared with cotton wool and water. We found no evidence of any adverse effects of using these wipes. These findings offer reassurance to parents who choose to use baby wipes and to health professionals who support their use.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN86207019.

Treatment of diaper dermatitis

Diaper rash therapy can be as simple as A, B, C, D, and E if you are able to identify generic diaper rash and exclude other causes. Components of diaper rash treatment include airing, barrier and other tropical product application, cleansing of the diaper area, diaper selection, and education of caregivers. Diaper rash therapy can be letter-perfect.

Clinical studies with disposable diapers containing absorbent gelling materials: evaluation of effects on infant skin condition

Disposable infant diapers with absorbent gelling material (cross-linked sodium polyacrylates) incorporated into the core were clinically evaluated for their effect on infant skin condition. Absorbent gelling materials tightly hold water and provide pH control by a buffering capacity as well as by helping to segregate urine apart from feces. Four clinical studies were conducted with each following a rigid protocol that controlled for variables of diet and age in addition to the diaper material that may influence the development of diaper dermatitis and helped to control for any inherent bias in the study. This allowed for the controlled assessment of skin condition with respect to diaper type. Absorbent gelling material-containing disposable, conventional (100% cellulose core) disposable, and home-laundered cloth diapers were test products. In these studies 1614 infants were initially enrolled with 522 of them assigned to absorbent gelling material disposable, 738 to conventional disposable, and 354 to home-laundered cloth diapers. Objective measurements of skin wetness (transepidermal water loss) and skin pH, as well as double-blind grading of diaper dermatitis, were the measures of skin condition. Absorbent gelling material disposable diapers were associated with significantly reduced skin wetness, closer to normal skin pH, and lower degrees of diaper dermatitis when compared to conventional disposable or home-laundered cloth diapers. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that better control in the diaper area of skin wetness, skin pH, and the prevention of the mixing of urine and feces produces a better diaper environment.