Diaper dermatitis is an inflammatory response of immature skin in newborns and infants. It is caused by irritation of the skin from multiple factors such as increased moisture, exposure to urine or feces, and detergents. Dermatitis is seen in 50% of infants aged 9-12 months. Statistically, 25% of caregivers consult their physician for diaper dermatitis as it has caused anxiety in both caregivers and infants. In the present study, the behavioral effects of dermatitis on infants, caregivers and each other has been evaluated.

106 healthy infants aged between 0-and 24 months were enrolled in the study with parental consent, given they were full-time diaper users and have no pre-existing conditions of skin disease, autoimmune disease, metabolic disorder, or candida infection in the diaper area. The degree of diaper dermatitis based on the colour of erythema and the presence of papule-pustule (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Diaper dermatitis grading system) were determined as 0(none), 0.5(slight), 1(mild), 1.5(mild to moderate), 2(moderate), 2.5(moderate to severe), and 3(severe).

Conclusively, 75 infants were female, and all the infants participated for an average duration of 10 months in the study trial. The mean range of degree of diaper dermatitis was recorded as 2.16± 0.57. In the behavioral aspect, caregivers with undereducated backgrounds had a high frequency of breastfeeding and a lower frequency of diaper changing (1-4 times a day) while properly educated parents provided their infants with a mixed food (breastfeeding and solid food) with a higher frequency in changed diapers (5-8 times per day) after cleaning the diaper area with wet wipes and antibiotics. Statistically, infants with undereducated mothers were found to be easily crying along with eating and sleeping disorders. Also, female infants were found to have a higher degree of diaper dermatitis as their diapers are thicker and wider in comparison. 

Vildan M, Turk J Dermatol, Apr- Jun 2021, Vol 15, Issue 2, doi: 10.4103/tjd.tjd_17_21.