Items for assessment of infant skin problems: A literature review

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to review previous studies on infant skin problems and to summarize 1) the types of skin problems, 2) body area observed depends on the skin problem, and 3) the method of scoring for severity of skin problems.

Method

A search was conducted on PubMed for literature related to infant skin problems in August 2017. Among the 429 papers identified, 13 were included in this review.

Result

There were nine papers on diaper dermatitis, one on infant eczema, and three on seborrheic dermatitis.

Four papers about diaper dermatitis used scales that were developed or used in previous studies, including the diaper rash and erythema scoring scale, Neonatal Skin Condition Score (NSCS), and Diaper Rash Severity Scale. Only the NSCS was validated. Although, erythema was assessed in all papers about diaper dermatitis, most of the types of skin problems were different among papers.

Dryness, scaling, papules, and erythema were assessed in the literature on infant eczema, whereas erythema, scaling, and crusting were assessed in the literature about seborrheic dermatitis.

Conclusion

There was not the validated scale which was specialized the one skin problem. Also, the skin conditions related to each skin problem were different. Therefore, along with the scales for assessing the skin conditions of the entire body, the scales specialized for each skin problem or body area that have been examined for reliability and validity are preferable.