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Documentation of impaired epidermal barrier in mild and moderate diaper dermatitis in vivo using noninvasive methods
Georgios N Stamatas1, Charles Zerweck, Gary Grove
1Johnson & Johnson Consumer France SAS, Issy les Moulineaux, France. gstamata@its.jnj.com
Insights
Diaper dermatitis irritates infant skin, causing discomfort and infection risk. Noninvasive measurements show increased redness, pH, and hydration in affected areas, confirming skin changes.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Infant Care
Background:
- Diaper dermatitis is a common infant skin condition caused by irritants, friction, and occlusion.
- It leads to infant discomfort and increases the risk of secondary infections.
- Understanding the pathophysiology is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define measurable parameters correlating with diaper dermatitis pathophysiology using noninvasive in vivo techniques.
- To compare skin condition in diapered areas with and without dermatitis, and with non-diapered skin.
- To validate noninvasive methods for assessing diaper dermatitis.
Main Methods:
- Studied 35 infants, comparing affected diapered skin, unaffected diapered skin, and non-diapered thigh skin.
- Utilized noninvasive in vivo techniques to measure skin parameters.
- Assessed parameters including erythema, pH, hydration, and water barrier function.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated cutaneous erythema, pH, and hydration in diaper dermatitis lesions compared to nonlesional skin.
- Compromised water barrier function was observed in affected areas.
- Nonlesional diapered skin in the dermatitis group showed higher pH than non-diapered sites.
Conclusions:
- Noninvasive methods can effectively document key pathological changes in diaper dermatitis.
- Findings support current understanding of diaper dermatitis pathophysiology.
- Measurable parameters provide objective data for assessing infant skin health in diaper areas.
Abstract:
The presence of irritants from feces and urine with the concurrent mechanical friction and occlusion creates an environment in the diapered area that renders the skin prone to diaper dermatitis. Besides being a source of discomfort to the infant, these skin irritations pose a risk of secondary infections. In this study, we used noninvasive in vivo techniques to define measurable parameters that correlate with diaper dermatitis pathophysiology. In 35 infants (16 with mild or moderate and 19 without diaper dermatitis) we compared skin of diapered areas afflicted with diaper dermatitis to lesion-free diapered sites and to skin outside the diapered area (thigh). Our findings show significantly elevated cutaneous erythema, pH, and hydration, with significantly compromised water barrier function in involved areas compared to nonlesional sites both within and outside the diapered area. Furthermore, skin pH in nonlesional diapered skin for the diaper dermatitis cohort was significantly higher compared to the nondiapered sites. These observations are consistent with the current understanding of pathological skin changes in diaper dermatitis. In this study, we demonstrate that noninvasive methods can document relevant parameters to diaper dermatitis in vivo.
