Diaper Rash: Frequency, Causes and Type of Inflammation among Under Five Years Old Libyan Pediatric Patients

Diaper rash (DR) is a non-specific term used to describe any inflammatory skin reaction in the diaper area. It is encompassing a range of dermatoses of various causes. Our aim was to study DR among under 5 years Libyan pediatric dermatology patients. A total number of 618 pediatric patients were studied over a period of 1 year. Examination of napkin area was done when the presenting problem was related to diaper area and relevant investigations were performed. DR was seen in 16% with 70% of the cases were infants. DR that caused by wearing of diapers was the most frequent (47%); contact dermatitis (40 %), intertrigon (5%) and miliaria (2%). DR that occur irrespective of diaper use constituted 27%, it included infections (13%), zinc deficiency and Job syndrome (3%). Involvement of napkin area as a part of erythroderma constituted 8%. Rashes that appears elsewhere but exaggerated in the napkin area were seen in 26%; atopic dermatitis (14 %), seborrhoeic dermatitis (8%) and psoriatic DR (4%).One year diaper dermatitis study in the Libyan pediatric population has led to a better understanding of the frequency of diaper rash among pediatric dermatology patients and the variable causes. Awareness of the differential diagnosis of diaper rash is important and allows doctors and parents to better assess and manage the symptoms.