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Effect of Adhesive Dwell Time on Skin Injury in Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Kardelen Köroğlu1, Berna Eren Fidanci
1Author Affiliation: Department of Child Health and Disease Nursing, Gulhane Faculty of Nursing, University of Health Sciences, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey (Drs Köroğlu and Eren Fidanci).
Background:
Neonatal skin is immature and highly susceptible to injury, particularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) where medical adhesives are frequently used. Medical adhesive-related skin injury is a common clinical concern, yet evidence regarding optimal adhesive dwell time remains limited.
Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adhesive dwell time on neonatal skin integrity and its association with skin injury outcomes.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial was conducted between August and December 2023 in a tertiary NICU. Sixty term neonates (37-40 weeks) were randomized to either a 2-hour adhesive dwell time group (n = 30) or a 4-hour routine care group (n = 30). Skin condition and risk were assessed using the Neonatal Skin Condition Score and the Neonatal Skin Risk Assessment Scale (NSRAS).
Results:
The experimental group demonstrated significantly lower Neonatal Skin Condition Scores on Day 1 (P = .010) and Day 3 (P < .001), indicating improved skin condition. No significant between-group differences were observed in NSRAS scores (P > .05), although scores decreased over time in both groups. Birth weight and gestational age were negatively correlated with NSRAS scores in the experimental group (P < .05).
Implications For Practice And Research:
Shorter adhesive dwell time appears to improve neonatal skin condition and may represent a simple and effective strategy to reduce localized skin injury in NICU settings. However, its effect on broader skin risk profiles remains limited. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and the interaction between adhesive duration and material type across different neonatal populations.
