Newborn skin care practices have the potential to impact skin for many years. This revised guideline is targeted to obstetric, postpartum, and neonatal nurses, and other healthcare providers caring for newborns in various settings. New recommendations based on current research focus on appropriate skin care practices for term and preterm newborns. Expanded topics include bathing, atopic dermatitis and emollients, management of diaper dermatitis, intravenous extravasation, parent education, and product selection considerations. There are also many new appendices with images of skin injury and tables for identification and treatment of neonatal wounds.
The 4th edition features an updated Quick Care Guide and timely, research based recommendations that include:
• Assessment of the neonate's skin condition and identification of skin injury
• Guidelines for normal newborn bathing, circumcision, and cord care
• Guidelines for promoting and protecting optimal skin function and minimizing future skin sensitization
• Identification of neonates at risk for alterations in skin integrity, including exposure to environmental and therapeutic agents