The effect of colloid oatmeal compared to colloid cream on diaper rash among preterm neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit

Background

Diaper rash is a frequent diagnosis among neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It is characterized by an acute inflammatory eruption of the skin in the diaper area.

Purpose

and Design: This study aimed to investigate the effect of colloid oatmeal and colloid cream on diaper rash among preterm neonates in the NICU. This study took place in the NICU of El-Raml Children's Hospital at Wengat in Alexandria, Egypt. Using a randomized control trial pre-posttest design with three parallel groups. Ninety preterm neonates with diaper rash were randomly assigned to three equal groups. Diaper Dermatitis Scale attached with demographic and clinical data was used. The outcome was assessed for four consecutive days for each group.

Results

Preterm neonates who received colloid oatmeal had significantly declined in the total mean score of severity of diaper rash in 3rd and 4th days with mean 0.833 ± 1.234and 0.000 ± 0.000 compared to 2.333 ± 0.844 and 1.500 ± 1.224 in colloid group and 2.566 ± 0.817 and 1.966 ± 1.325 in the control group (p₁ = 0.027 in the 4th day, and p₂ and p₃ < 0.001 for each day).

Conclusion

The present study concluded that topical application of the colloid oatmeal and colloid creams effectively reduced the severity of erythema, the extent, papules and pustules, and open skin among preterm neonates with diaper rash and enhancing its recovery duration. The authors strongly recommended that mothers should be advised to care for their neonates’ skin with colloid oatmeal appropriately and change the diaper repeatedly. ClinicalTrials.gov identification number: NCT05892081.