Abstract

Topical emollient therapy may reduce the incidence of serious infections and mortality of preterm infants in developing countries. We tested whether emollient therapy reduced the burden of pathogens on skin and/or prevented bacterial translocation. Neonates <33 wk gestational age were randomized to treatment with sunflower seed oil (SSO) or Aquaphor or the untreated control group. Skin condition score and skin cultures were obtained at enrollment and on d 3, 7, and weekly thereafter, and blood cultures were obtained for episodes of suspected nosocomial sepsis. For analysis, blood cultures were paired with skin cultures obtained 0-3 d before the blood culture. Skin condition scores at 3 d were better in patients treated with either emollient compared with untreated controls; however, skin flora was similar across the groups. The SSO group showed a 72% elevated odds of having a false-positive (FP) skin culture associated with a negative blood culture (i.e. skin flora blocked from entry into blood) compared with the control group. Topical therapy with SSO reduced the passage of pathogens from the skin surface into the bloodstream of preterm infants.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Darmstadt GL, Saha SK, Ahmed AS, Choi Y, Chowdhury MA, Islam M, Law PA, Ahmed S

Institution

Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. gdarmsta@jhsph.edu

Source

Pediatric research 61:5 Pt 1 2007 May pg 588-93

MeSH

Administration, Topical
Bangladesh
Emollients
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Infant, Premature, Diseases
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Infection Control
Plant Oils
Pregnancy
Prospective Studies
Skin

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

17413870