The role of microorganisms in diaper dermatitis.

A quantitative microbiological survey of multiple sites in the diaper area in 40 normal infants and 100 infants with various forms of diaper dermatitis showed (1) no significant differences between normal infants and those with common chafing form of diaper dermatitis except for a low number of Staphylococcus aureus organisms in 50% of those with chafing dermatitis compared to no S aureus in normals; (2) S aureus occurred in high numbers in every case of atopic dermatitis and was frequently found at much lower levels in psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and chafing dermatitis; (3) Candida albicans occurred in 80% of cases clinically diagnosed as moniliasis localized to the diaper area and in 33% of those suspected of Candida infection with dissemination beyond the diaper area, while C albicans was found in only five of 145 culture sites in 40 normal infants.