Diaper dermatitis is among the most frequent skin conditions affecting infants.

The goal of a newstudy published in Pediatric Dermatology was to determine the impact of two diaper and wipe regimens on newborn infant skin pH and residual enzyme activity after stool cleaning.

In this randomized, single-blinded crossover study, two diaper and wipe regimens were compared – regimen A, with an emollient-containing diaper with an acidic, pH-buffered wipe and regimen B with a non-emollient diaper and wipe with limited buffering capacity. Skin pH at the perianal/buttocks interface (PBI), genital region and undiapered chest (control) were measured at baseline and at day-3. Skin swabs were collected for residual enzyme activity after stool cleansing.

The results revealed that diapered skin pH at the PBI was comparable to undiapered skin pH after 3 days of use for Regimen A. Whereas, the PBI pH for Regimen B was higher. Moreover, PBI pH was lower for Regimen Awhen compared to Regimen B. Additionally, after stool cleaning, PBI skin pH for Regimen A was lower immediately, and had lower residual enzyme activity than Regimen B—which sustained up to 60 minutes.

Hence, it was concluded that the use of an emollient-containing diaper with a pH-buffered wipe creates conditions favorable to optimum diapered skin health.

Source: Pediatric Dermatology.2020 Jul;37(4):626-631. doi: 10.1111/pde.14169.