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Global variation in skin injures and skincare practices in extremely preterm infants

Pranav Jani1,2, Umesh Mishra3,4, Julia Buchmayer5

  • 1Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Pranav.Jani@sydney.edu.au.

World Journal of Pediatrics : WJP
|November 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Skin injuries like diaper dermatitis and those from medical adhesives are common in extremely preterm infants. Consistent skincare guidelines and regular assessments significantly reduce these occurrences.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Dermatology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Extremely preterm infants are highly susceptible to skin injuries.
  • Global variations exist in skincare practices and injury incidence among these vulnerable infants.
  • Understanding these variations is crucial for developing standardized care protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the types and prevalence of skin injuries in extremely preterm infants worldwide.
  • To document current skincare practices in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
  • To investigate the association between specific skincare practices and the occurrence of skin injuries.

Main Methods:

  • A global web-based survey was conducted from February 2019 to August 2021.
  • Data on skin injuries and skincare practices were collected from 848 NICUs across diverse regions and income levels.
  • Statistical analysis, including multivariable logistic regression, was used to identify associations, adjusted for regional factors.

Main Results:

  • Diaper dermatitis (39%) and medical adhesive-related skin injuries (38%) were the most prevalent injuries.
  • Adherence to local skincare guidelines was associated with a significant reduction in multiple types of skin injuries.
  • Performing skin assessments every four hours or more frequently decreased the incidence of abrasions, pressure injuries, diaper dermatitis, and perineal injuries.

Conclusions:

  • Skin injuries are a significant concern in extremely preterm infants globally.
  • Implementing consistent skincare guidelines and enhancing surveillance through regular assessments can effectively reduce skin injury rates.
  • Further research is needed to establish optimal evidence-based practices and minimize variations in care to improve infant outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Extremely premature infantsInjuriesNeonatal intensive care unitSkin careWounds

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