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European roundtable updates recommendations for infant washing
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A European roundtable meeting provided updated recommendations for the washing and cleansing of infants, according to a report published in Pediatric Dermatology.
“Skin care is fundamental to healthy infant development, but parents may be confused regarding best practice for this routine aspect of care,” Ulrike Blume-Peytavi, MD, from the department of dermatology and allergy at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and colleagues wrote. “We hope that health care professionals will use these evidence-based recommendations to guide parents with respect to the practical facets of cleansing, bathing, moisturizing, and care of the diaper region.”
In 2009, a European roundtable, composed of experts in infant skin care, published recommendations for bathing infants. A recent roundtable reconvened to update its previous recommendations based on new clinical evidence. The researchers used the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system to assess their previous recommendations; their updates focused on diaper care, emollient use and characterized the attributes of appropriate liquid cleansers, emollients and wipes.
The researchers made the following recommendations:
- water alone or liquid cleansers can be used for routine bathing and is preferable to a cloth;
- diapers should be kept clean and dry;
- diaper areas on infants can be cleaned with cotton balls and water, or wipes;
- appropriately formulated emollients can enhance skin barrier function;
- properly formulated baby oils also are safe and effective;
- all baby skin products should be formulated to pH 5.5;
- these products should be effectively preserved; and
- products that contain harsh surfactants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, should be avoided.
“Clinical evidence demands a nuanced approach,” Blume-Peytavi and colleagues wrote. “Parents should be reassured in their choice of infant skin care regime, be it the sole use of water or the use of appropriately formulated cleansers, wipes, emollients and oils.” – by Will Offit
Disclosure: Blume-Peytavi reports being a consultant to Johnson & Johnson, receiving honoraria as a speaker for Pierre Fabre and Galderma, and receiving grants for clinical and research trials from Bübchen, Pierre Fabre, Galderma, Johnson & Johnson, and WALA as an employee of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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