Comparison of the Effectiveness of New Material Diapers versus Standard Diapers for the Prevention of Diaper Rash in Chinese Babies: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled, Cross-Over Study

Abstract

Background Diaper rash, also known as diaper dermatitis (DD), is a very common skin condition in infants, and use of disposable diapers with breathable materials is an effective approach for the management of diaper rash. In China, new material diapers and standard diapers are currently the two most commonly used disposable diapers. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of new material diapers versus standard diaper for the prevention of diaper rash in Chinese babies. Methods A total of 80 eligible babies admitted to Shanghai Skin Diseases Hospital during the period from June through July, 2016, were enrolled and randomized into two groups. Babies in Group A (n = 41) used the new material diapers, and babies in Group B (n = 39) used standard diapers. Two weeks after the use of the diaper, the babies used the alternate product for the next 2 weeks. Skin conditions were assessed on the front and back waist, right and left buttock, pubic region, anal region, and right and left groin using a 6-point scoring system based on four parameters in 0, 2, and 4 weeks after use of the diapers. Results There were changes of the mean skin assessment score in each of the six regions after the use of the diapers. There were significant differences, in the mean skin assessment score of the front waist in Group A between weeks 2 and 4 (P = 0.006) and in Group B between weeks 0 and 2 (P = 0.004), and no significant differences were detected in the mean skin assessment score of the back waist and buttock in both Group A and Group B on weeks 0, 2, and 4. A higher mean skin assessment score of the pubic region was assessed in Group A on week 4 than on week 2 (P = 0.036), with a higher score seen on week 2 than on week 0 (P = 0.048), while no significant differences were found in Group B among weeks 0, 2, or 4. There was a higher mean score of the anal region assessed in Group A on week 2 than on week 0 (P = 0.01), while a higher mean score was found in Group B on week 2 than on weeks 0 (P = 0.036) and 4 (P = 0.01). In addition, a higher mean skin assessment score of the groin was detected on week 2 than on week 0 in both Group A (P = 0.00001) and Group B (P = 0.0001). Conclusion The new material diaper is superior to the standard diaper for the prevention of diaper rash in Chinese babies.

Comparative evaluation of the clinical effects of high Air-Through soft diaper and standard diaper in Indian babies with diaper rash

“…The new material diaper used in the study conducted by Yuan C et al also had similar features. Therefore, High Air-Through Soft Diaper in the present study also showed similar superiority over the standard diaper in babies as that observed in the study conducted by Yuan C et al 4 There are some limitations to the present study. Climate factors are confounding factors in such types of studies as they have effects on skin irritation and skin barrier functions.…”

“…Thus, the current study appears to be more conclusive. 4 In the present study we found that, after 2 weeks, the mean total diaper rash score was increased significantly from the baseline in both Group A (High Air-Through Soft Diaper-Standard diaper) and Group B (Standard diaper-High Air-Through Soft Diaper). We mention at the end, these first 2 weeks results were also affected by increasing environmental temperature.…”

“…Studies show that the skin barrier functions of babies are altered with the design and materials of the diaper. 4,9 A common disposable diaper is composed of a top sheet, an absorbent core, gathers, and a leakage-proof sheet. The standard disposable diaper may cause damped skin due to spread of sweat or urine and faeces and their adherence to skin that lead to skin irritation that eventually leads to the incidence of diaper rash.…”

“…3 The following factors contribute to the increased prevalence of diaper dermatitis: humidity, non-breathability, adherence of excreta to the skin, weaker infant's skin barrier, skin rubbing. 4 It is difficult to prevent Diaper rash completely. 5 Disposable diapers play an important role to prevent diaper rash.…”

Experimental Comfort Evaluation of Baby Diapers In Terms of Liquid Accumulation, Moisture Management and Heat Transfer via Non Destructive Testing

“…Novel diapers having improved design and materials outperform standard diapers in better permeability and odour control via chitosan addition to the fibres mix, better absorption via bamboo fibre blends and antimicrobial function via sustainable herbal finishes [11][12][13][14]. Traditional diapers, bio-degradable diapers and reusable cloth diapers were compared to each other in a few studies and findings revealed that bio-degradable diapers are the most ecofriendly ones followed by reusable cloth diapers while the first two provided better performance due to reuse and cleaning deteriorates many properties of reusable cloth diapers in extended usage [15][16][17][18].…”