Skin lesions of newborns in a neonatal unit: an observational study

ABSTRACT

Aim: Identify the incidence and prevalence of skin lesions in hospitalized neonates and characterize the identified lesions. Method: Longitudinal, observational and quantitative. Daily studies on 40 newborns in a neonatal unit, during the physical examination, during September and October 2011. Data analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results and Discussion: The study identified 195 lesions with an average of five lesions per newborn; incidence was 16%; prevalence was 58% and; average hospitalization period was 37.2 days. Diaper-caused dermatitis was the most common lesion, which progressed to moniliasis complications at a lower rate than previously found in other studies. The findings show statistical significance between the use of anti-fungals for diaper-caused dermatitis and treatment time. Conclusion: The need for preventive lesion treatment, which can improve the quality of life and growth for newborns.