title: Neonatal intensive care practices and the influence on skin condition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Premature skin has a thinner epidermis with a poorly formed stratum corneum (SC) barrier compared to full term skin. Poor skin integrity increases the risk of exposure to irritants and infectious agents. Interventions that facilitate skin maturation are essential.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to examine the effects of prematurity and time from birth on SC maturation and to identify factors that impact skin condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted among 130 NICU patients. Skin regions were evaluated for erythema, rash, integrity and function. The effects of gestational age, time from birth, stool exposure, nutrition and diagnosis were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three groups emerged: (i) premature and <38 weeks adjusted age; (ii) premature and >38 weeks adjusted age; and (iii) full term. Surprisingly, the premature infants exhibited lower perineal irritation and greater SC integrity (lower transepidermal water loss) than full terms (P < 0.05). Group 2 had a longer time before the first skin-stool contact. Chest skin pH showed maturational changes for Group 1 (P < 0.05) but did not change for premature Group 2 who was older at enrollment. Erythema was lower for infants using elemental formulas or total parenteral nutrition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Premature infants with early stool contact and high exposure, full term infants, and patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia or trisomy 21 are at high risk for skin compromise and may benefit from prophylactic interventions to minimize compromise. Low stool exposure and greater time before the first stool contact appear to be protective against skin compromise.
authors.affiliation: Skin Sciences Program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. marty.visscher@cchmc.org
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Visscher
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Narendran
mesh_terms: D003963:Diaper Rash / Q000451:nursing; D005243:Feces; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology*