Effects of an emollient application on newborn skin from birth for prevention of atopic dermatitis: a randomized controlled study in Thai neonates

Abstract Background Enhancing the skin barrier in high‐risk neonates by daily use of emollients during infancy might prevent atopic dermatitis (AD); however, there have been no studies on this topic in a country with a tropical climate. Climate may affect the results of the use of emollients in neonates for AD prevention and possible adverse cutaneous eruptions. Objectives To test the hypothesis that emollients used during infancy can prevent AD in high‐risk neonates in a country with a tropical climate and to evaluate other possible adverse cutaneous eruptions in this population. Methods This was a randomized controlled study in a tertiary care hospital with a 6 months' duration. Eligible neonates were randomly assigned to receive either emollient and skincare advice (emollient group) or skincare advice only (control group). The intervention was started within 3 weeks of birth. Results The emollient group showed a significant reduction in the cumulative incidence of AD at 6 months (relative risk, 0.39; 95% CI 0.24–0.64; P < 0.001). The emollient group started to develop AD later and had a lower severity of AD than the control group ( P < 0.001). Compared to moderate adherence, low adherence to emollient application was associated with a lower number of patients with AD ( P = 0.008). Potentially emollient‐related cutaneous eruptions, such as miliaria, and suspected cutaneous infections, such as impetigo, were more frequent in the emollient group. Exposure to passive smoking showed a significant difference in the development of AD compared to non‐smoking exposure, both during pregnancy and after the child's birth ( P < 0.001). Conclusions This study suggests that, in a tropical climate, emollient applied to the skin of at‐risk neonates on an ‘as needed’ basis (depending on environmental factors, level of skin dryness), rather than on a ‘daily basis', can provide a substantial benefit for AD prevention.