Characterizing Exclusively Breastfed Infant Stool via a Novel Infant Stool Scale.

Analysis of stool has long been a diagnostic tool across a number of disease states. Currently, there are two stool scales in clinical use, the Bristol Stool Scale and the Amsterdam Infant Stool Scale. However, the existing categorizations for stool may not sufficiently cover the broad range of stool output for exclusively breastfed infants. The Bristol Stool Scale is not age specific to cover children who are not toilet trained and the Amsterdam Infant Stool Scale, though developed for children who are not toilet trained, does not sufficiently cover the wide variety of consistencies of exclusively breastfed infant stools. Through a robust understanding of exclusively breastfed infant stool characteristics, a new stool scale has been developed. It is proposed that this stool scale may better assist in observing and recording exclusively breastfed infant stool in a more accurate manner, which may aid in diagnostic capabilities.

The impact of diaper design on mitigating known causes of diaper dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Diapers play a critical role in infant health. In addition to providing sanitary methods of disposing of urine and feces, they can also directly impact skin health. Prolonged exposure to wetness and fecal matter has been shown to be a key driver of diaper dermatitis. This study sought to evaluate how diaper construction can affect absorption of stool. METHODS: Methods included laboratory testing of stool absorbency as well as an at-home diaper evaluation study, which examined a diaper's ability to keep fecal matter from the skin. Breastfed infant stool was given special consideration, as its properties make it difficult to contain. RESULTS: Laboratory results demonstrated that a meshlike aperture diaper was better able to absorb fecal matter. The at-home diaper evaluation study confirmed that a meshlike aperture diaper design resulted in fewer instances of stool being present on skin during diaper changes. CONCLUSION: Diapers with a meshlike aperture topsheet may represent a better way to mitigate known causes of diaper dermatitis through their superior ability to absorb fecal matter.