title: Do baby wet wipes change periurethral aerobic flora?
abstract: There is massive enteric bacterial colonization in the periurethral region during infancy. Fecal soiling is considered to be responsible for this colonization. We hypothesized that baby wet wipes containing chemical cleansing compounds, which are used for the cleaning of babies after diaper soiling, could be a contributing factor in this colonization. Thus, the effect on periurethral flora of two different methods of baby cleaning was compared. Periurethral culture samples were obtained from 173 infants who were cleaned with baby wet wipes (Group A, n = 96) or water and napkins (Group B, n = 77) after diaper soiling. The colonization of uropathogens and the presence of flora were analyzed. The results of the periurethral cultures were similar in both groups. The rates of uropathogen colonization only, uropathogen and skin flora colonization, and skin flora only or no growth in Groups A and B were 18.7, 61.5, and 19.8%, and 14.3, 66.2, and 19.5, respectively. The differences between the groups were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the frequency of uropathogen isolation between males and females. We therefore concluded that baby wet wipes are as safe as water for the cleaning of babies after diaper soiling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Duzce University School of Medicine, Duzce, Turkey. sensesdali@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Dursun A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Senses
authors.forename: C Elif
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Oztürk
authors.forename: Neşe Ersöz
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Yar
authors.forename: Selda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acar
authors.forename: Talat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bahcebasi
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kocabay
authors.forename: Demet
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaya
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003902:Detergents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006795:Household Products; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D014521:Urethra / Q000382:microbiology*; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D014867:Water