A single late-preterm infant treated with 10 percent zinc oxide ointment for diaper dermatitis had serial serum zinc measurements. Copper was not measured. Cited adult studies of 25 percent and 40 percent zinc oxide dressings were withheld.
Key numbers
| Analyte | Matrix | Value | Unit | Statistic | N | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zn | topical ointment on diaper-area skin | 10 | percent | stated ointment strength | 1 | p.1 |
| Zn | serum | 77 | ug/dL | single measurement | 1 | p.1 |
| Zn | serum | 119 | ug/dL | single measurement | 1 | p.1 |
| Zn | serum | 490 | ug/dL | single measurement | 1 | p.1 |
| Zn | serum | 194 | ug/dL | single measurement | 1 | p.1 |
| Zn | serum | 82 | ug/dL | single measurement | 1 | p.1 |
Methods (brief)
Zinc oxide ointment was applied at each diaper change from around day 12. Serum zinc was measured on days 22, 29, 38, 44, and 49 of life. The infant was fully breastfed and was not given zinc supplements. Product trade names of emollients and powders are omitted from prose.
Detection and reporting: not stated
Basis: serum
Evidence fitness
This source can support: time course of serum zinc in one infant during topical zinc oxide use on eroded diaper skin.
It cannot support: zinc concentration in commercial diaper creams generally; a dermal absorption fraction; population reference values derived by the authors.
Limitations
One patient. No zinc measurement of the ointment beyond the stated 10 percent. No serum copper. The stated normal range 58 to 74 ug/dL is given with the day-22 result and is not further sourced in the text.
Related evidence
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