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Relation between the intestinal flora and diaper dermatitis in infancy
A S Gökalp1, C Aldirmaz, A Oğuz
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Candida albicans, a fungus from the gut, is a major cause of diaper dermatitis in infants. Early diagnosis is possible using a simple Gram-stained smear of affected skin.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Diaper dermatitis is a common infant skin condition.
- The exact cause and diagnostic methods require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Candida albicans in diaper dermatitis.
- To evaluate diagnostic methods for this condition.
Main Methods:
- Mycological and bacteriological cultures from skin lesions and stool specimens.
- Gram-stained smears of skin lesions.
- Comparison between affected infants and a healthy control group.
Main Results:
- Candida albicans was isolated from 37/40 patients with diaper dermatitis and their stool specimens.
- 27/34 skin lesion smears showed Candida in hyphal form.
- C. albicans was not found in the control group's diaper area.
Conclusions:
- Candida albicans infection, originating from the gastrointestinal tract, plays a significant role in diaper dermatitis.
- Gram-stained smears are a practical method for early diagnosis of Candida-related diaper dermatitis.