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EFFECTS OF CLEAR TOPICAL OINTMENT ON TRANSEPIDERMAL WATER LOSS (TEWL) IN JAUNDICED PRETREM INFANT RECEIVING PHOTOTHERAPY

Wananukul S, Praisuwanna P, Kesorncam K.

Chulalongkrn University, Bangkok, Thailand

Objective: To determine the effects of clear topical ointment on

transepidemal water loss in jaundiced preterm receiving

phototherapy.

Methods: Thirty jaundiced preterm infants, gestational age≤34 weeks and post postnatal age≤7 days, received conventional phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia of prematurity in incubator. Infants with skin disease or respiratory distress were excluded 1.5 ml of clear topical ointment was applied on the right side of the trunk and extremities while the left side received no topical treatment. Data collection included measurement, ambient temperature and ambient humidity before and at 30 minutes and 4-6 hours after application of ointment during phototherapy. The measurements were executed both the right and the left side in 3 positions; upper arm, back, lower leg. The data was compared by using paired student T-test.

Result: Clear topical ointment therapy significantly decreased TEWL in the first six hours after application during phototherapy. TEWL was reduced by 29% (P value﹤0.0024) and 26% (P value﹤0.0109) at 30 minutes at 4-6 hours after the application of topical ointment, respectively. Ambient temperature and humidity were not significantly different (P value﹥0.18) There was no rash or scale after application of the ointment.

Conclusion: The application of clear topical ointment on the skin of jaundiced preterm infants, receiving phototherapy, reduced TEWL significantly.