Association of skin wetness and pH with diaper dermatitis.

The strength of the association between diaper dermatitis and measurements of skin wetness and skin pH was evaluated by statistical analysis of four diaper trials involving 1601 infants. Although the strength of the association between skin wetness and diaper dermatitis was greater than that between skin pH and diaper dermatitis, increases in wetness and pH were both significantly associated with elevated mean grades for diaper dermatitis. The skin environment least likely to be associated with diaper dermatitis is one in which increases in both skin wetness and skin pH are minimized.