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Case Study
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Effectiveness of a non-petrolatum emollient cream* lasting 24 hours in a NICU and PICU Tammy Mouser, CWOCN, Kosair Children's Hospital, Louisville, KY; Darcy Helder, BS, Coloplast Skin Health Division, N. Mankato, MN Statement of the problem/Rationale: Skin of premature neonates may be overly susceptible to skin tears due to decreased elasticity of the skin. There is also a risk of staphylococcus or fungal infections in neonates when petrolatum products are used. Dry skin is an issue for the pediatric population, with as many as 50% of PICU admissions exhibiting this symptom. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend applying an emollient every 12 hours or as needed. We set out to document if a non-petrolatum product could be used just once a day and provide effective reductions in xerosis Methodology: Case studies were documented as part of the product evaluation in order to evaluate the efficacy of the emollient cream on neonatal and pediatric skin. Results: Subject #1 is a preemie born at 25 weeks weighing 610 gm. Skin was dry, scaly and very fragile. After 1 week, no scaly, dry skin was evident.. .Subject #2 is a 30-week-old, 6.8kg weight neonate. Initially, the subjectÕs skin was red, tight, and peeling. After treatment with the emollient, the subject's skin showed no redness and was much more supple to touch and observation. Subject #3 is a 14-year-old patient weighing 27.2 kg at admission. SubjectÕs skin was dry and cracking at joints with skin breakage at right knee. Cracked skin at left knee was healed and moist upon 7 days of treatment. Conclusion: General skin condition of the subjects after application of the emollient cream was soft, supple and free from breakdown. The once-a-day application was convenient and effective, avoiding extra friction of multiple applications. No adverse side effects or complications were noted in regard to the emollient cream. The hospital has now implemented this product throughout the facility *Product notation: Sween 24¨ Superior Moisturizing Skin Protectant Cream, Coloplast Corp., Marietta, GA Edwards W, Conner J, Gerdes J, et al. The effect of Aquaphor emollient ointment on nosocomial sepsis rates and skin integrity in infants of birthweights 500Ð1000 grams. Presented at the Hot Topics Neonatology Conference, Washington DC Campbell JR, Zaccaria E, Baker CJ. Systemic candidiasis in extremely low birth weight infants receiving topical petrolatum ointment for care: a case-control study. Pediatr. 2000;105:1041Ð1045. Suddaby E, Barnett S, Facteau L. Skin breakdown in acute care pediatrics. Pediatr Nurs. 2005;31(2):132Ð138. |
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