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Clinical studies with disposable diapers containing absorbent gelling materials: evaluation of effects on infant skin
R L Campbell1, J L Seymour, L C Stone
1Procter & Gamble Company, Paper Division, Product Development, Cincinnati, OH 45224.
Insights
New infant diapers with absorbent gelling material significantly improve skin condition by reducing wetness and maintaining a healthier pH. These advanced diapers help prevent diaper dermatitis compared to traditional options.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Dermatology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Diaper dermatitis is a common infant skin condition influenced by wetness, pH, and fecal-maceration.
- Absorbent gelling materials (AGM) in diapers offer enhanced fluid handling and pH buffering.
- Clinical evaluation is crucial to assess the impact of diaper technology on infant skin health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clinically evaluate the effect of disposable infant diapers containing absorbent gelling material on infant skin condition.
- To compare the skin health outcomes associated with AGM diapers versus conventional disposable and cloth diapers.
Main Methods:
- Four controlled clinical studies involving 1614 infants were conducted.
- Infants were assigned to diapers with absorbent gelling material, conventional cellulose core, or home-laundered cloth diapers.
- Objective measures included transepidermal water loss (skin wetness), skin pH, and double-blind grading of diaper dermatitis.
Main Results:
- Diapers with absorbent gelling material showed significantly reduced skin wetness.
- AGM diapers maintained skin pH closer to normal levels.
- Lower incidences of diaper dermatitis were observed in infants using AGM diapers compared to conventional or cloth diapers.
Conclusions:
- Absorbent gelling material disposable diapers provide a superior microenvironment for infant skin.
- Effective control of skin wetness, skin pH, and prevention of urine-feces mixing contribute to reduced diaper dermatitis.
- AGM technology represents a significant advancement in infant diaper design for promoting skin health.
Abstract:
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.