Effects of repeated application of emollient cream to premature neonates' skin.
OBJECTIVE
Emollient cream moisturizers are often used on premature newborns in neonatal intensive care units without accurate knowledge of the risks or benefits to the neonate.


METHODS
We prospectively compared premature neonates treated with a water-in-oil emollient cream for up to 16 days to untreated premature neonates.


METHODS
The study was completed in a neonatal intensive care unit on neonates admitted for respiratory distress and/or possible sepsis.


METHODS
Thirty-four neonates, between 29 and 36 weeks estimated gestational age, entered the study.


METHODS
One-half of the neonates were treated twice a day with an water-in-oil emollient cream, and the other half served as controls.


METHODS
The skin condition of the neonates' hands, feet, and abdomen was evaluated on entering the study and twice a week. Fungal cultures and quantitative bacterial cultures were obtained from the axilla and abdomen on entering the study and twice a week.


RESULTS
The mean gestational age of the treated neonates was 32.3 weeks, whereas the mean gestational age of the control neonates was 32.5 weeks. The neonates treated with emollient cream demonstrated statistically less dermatitis of their hands (day 2 through day 11), their feet (day 2 through day 16), and their abdomen (day 7 through day 11). Fungal cultures and quantitative bacterial cultures of the abdomen and axilla were equivalent in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies document that emollient cream moisturizer therapy of premature neonates decreases dermatitis without changing the microbiological flora.
Lane
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AT
Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5486.
Drost
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D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
D004643:Emollients