Preterm infants have underdeveloped skin compared to full-term infants. Their skin is thinner, weaker, and less protective against irritants and infection. Preterm infants, as well as infants with compromised and fragile skin, have a higher risk of developing dermatitis in the diapered region.
Properly formulated baby wipes have been clinical shown to be gentle and safe on healthy infants and infants in the NICU. Huggies® Natural Care® Extra Sensitive wipes are designed to complement healthy skin pH and to help wipe away fecal enzymes from skin as well as clinically proven more gentle than cloth and water on compromised or delicate skin.
For more details on the results of this clinical study and what to look for in selecting a properly formulated baby wipe, download the PDF below:
Technical Bulletin: Natural Care Extra Sensitive - Caring for fragile skin in the NICU.
- Ehretsmann C, Schaefer P, Adam R. Cutaneous tolerance of baby wipes by infants with atopic dermatitis, and comparison of the mildness of baby wipe and water in infant skin. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2001; 15 Suppl 1:16-21.
- Adam R, Schnetz B, Mathey P, Pericoi M, de Prost Y. Clinical Demonstration of Skin Mildness and Suitability for Sensitive Infant Skin of a New Baby Wipe. Pediatr. Dermatol. 2009; 26: 506-513.
- Lavender T, Furber C, Campbell M, Victor S, Roberts I, Bedwell C, Cork MJ. Effect on skin hydration of using baby wipes to clean the napkin area of newborn babies: assessor-blinded randomised controlled equivalence trial. BMC Pediatr. 2012 Jun 1;12:59.
- Odio M, Streicher-Scott J, Hansen RC. Disposable baby wipes: efficacy and skin mildness. Dermatology Nurs. 2001;13:107-12, 117-8, 121.
- Garcia Bartels N, Massoudy L, Scheufele R, et al. Standardized diaper care regimen: a prospective, randomized pilot study on skin barrier function and epidermal IL‐1α in newborns. Pediatr Dermatol. 2012;29:270‐276.
- Ngai D, Vongsa R, Rodriguez KJ. Infant skin barrier damage inflicted by fecal enzymes and ways to mitigate: Why water is insufficient. Kimberly-Clark Corporation poster presentation at the 18th Annual National Neonatal Nurses Conference: September 5-8, 2018, New Orleans, LA, USA.