Abstract
BackgroundDiapers play a critical role in infant health. In addition to providing sanitary methods of disposing of urine and feces, they can also directly impact skin health. Prolonged exposure to wetness and fecal matter has been shown to be a key driver of diaper dermatitis. This study sought to evaluate how diaper construction can affect absorption of stool.MethodsMethods included laboratory testing of stool absorbency as well as an at‐home diaper evaluation study, which examined a diaper's ability to keep fecal matter from the skin. Breastfed infant stool was given special consideration, as its properties make it difficult to contain.ResultsLaboratory results demonstrated that a meshlike aperture diaper was better able to absorb fecal matter. The at‐home diaper evaluation study confirmed that a meshlike aperture diaper design resulted in fewer instances of stool being present on skin during diaper changes.ConclusionDiapers with a meshlike aperture topsheet may represent a better way to mitigate known causes of diaper dermatitis through their superior ability to absorb fecal matter.
Highlights
Disposable diapers represent an essential consumer product in modern life
The absorption and sequestering of fecal matter away from the skin are essential to protecting infant skin health
When in contact with skin, bile salts, fecal enzymes, and other irritants found in stool can begin to break down the protective top layers of skin, which can induce diaper dermatitis
Summary
Disposable diapers represent an essential consumer product in modern life. Diaper technology has advanced considerably and can contribute to improved quality of life by imparting dryness, hygiene, leakage control, and comfort.[1]. Prolonged stool contact with an infant's skin may further exacerbate irritation, especially when the outer layers of skin are already compromised.[3] Managing this microenvironment within the diaper by preventing exposure to elements that cause skin breakdowns is essential to reducing the risk of rash and irritation.[4] One of the most important features of a diaper is the topsheet, the part of the diaper in immediate contact with an infant. Because the stool is not adequately contained, it can leak out of the diaper, where it can increase the risk of skin irritation and dermatitis outside of the diapered region. Compounding this issue, exclusively breastfed infants have a higher median stool frequency per day than infants who are fed formula.[8]. Excerpts of these studies were presented at National Advanced Practice Neonatal Nurses Conference, San Diego, CA, 2016.7
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