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Napkin Dermatitis: Skin Hydration Levels and Skin Care Practices amongst Children at Urban Comprehensive Health
O Afolabi1, A A Ajani2, A O Akinboro3
1Dermatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Insights
Consistent use of barrier agents significantly protects infants from Napkin Dermatitis (ND). Proper skin care practices, including regular barrier agent application, are crucial for preventing this common inflammatory skin condition in babies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Infant Skin Health
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Napkin Dermatitis (ND) is a common skin inflammation in infants within the diaper area.
- Skin care practices and skin hydration levels (SHL) are key factors in ND development.
- Understanding these factors is essential for effective prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare skin care routines and skin hydration in infants with and without ND.
- To identify predictors of Napkin Dermatitis in infants.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for ND prevention.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 60 infants with ND and 60 matched controls under 12 months old.
- Parental interviews collected data on diaper area skin care practices.
- Skin hydration levels were objectively measured using a Corneometer®.
Main Results:
- Infants without ND were significantly more likely to use appropriate barrier agents (71.7%) compared to those with ND (33.3%).
- No significant difference in non-lesional skin hydration levels was observed between groups.
- Consistent use of barrier agents was associated with an 83% reduced likelihood of developing ND.
Conclusions:
- Consistent application of appropriate barrier agents is a protective factor against Napkin Dermatitis.
- Implementing proper skin care practices, particularly barrier agent use, can significantly reduce ND incidence in infants.
- This study highlights the importance of barrier creams in infant diaper care.
Introduction:
Napkin Dermatitis (ND) means skin inflammation occurring within the napkin area. Skin care practices and skin hydration levels (SHL) are parameters of interest in the pathogenesis of ND.
Aim And Objectives:
To compare napkin area skin care practices and levels of skin hydration in children with ND and those without ND and to determine the predictors of ND in children.
Methods:
This was a case-control study of 60 participants with ND and 60 age and sex matched controls without ND, aged below 12 months that used napkins. Information on napkin area skin care practices were obtained from parents and diagnosis of ND was made clinically. Skin hydration levels were measured using a Corneometer®.
Results:
The median age of children was 16 ± 17.1 weeks (range 2-48 weeks). Controls were more likely to use appropriate barrier agents compared with participants with ND (71.7% vs. 33.3%; p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean SHL ± SD of participants with ND and controls on the non-lesional (buttock) area (42.00 ± 19.71 vs. 43.46 ± 21.68; t = - 0.384, p= 0.702). Controls who always used a barrier agent were 83% less likely to have ND than those who did sometimes and those who never used a barrier agent (OR: 0.168, CI: 0.064-0.445, p< 0.001).
Conclusion:
Consistent use of an appropriate barrier agent could be protective against ND.
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