SynthesisEuropean journal of pediatrics2026
Topical application of emollients to maintain skin integrity in preterm neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in European journal of pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
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Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of topical emollient application in preterm neonates for maintaining skin integrity. The available evidence related to the effects of topical emollients vs. routine skin care was identified, appraised, and synthesized. The outcome measures were assessment of skin integrity, objectively defined by a skin condition score (SCS), incidence of culture-positive neonatal sepsis, mortality, trans-epidermal water loss, skin colonization, and adverse events. Data were pooled using RevMan Web. Certainty of evidence (CoE) was analyzed by GRADE. Nineteen trials comprising 5586 neonates were included for meta-analysis. A significant decrease in SCS was observed, favoring topical emollients [SMD (95% CI), - 1.11 (- 1.57, - 0.65), I
conclusionLow-CoE evidence suggested better skin integrity with topical emollients, and a lower incidence of culture-positive neonatal sepsis with topical oil application. High heterogeneity limits the generalizability of results. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Compared to routine skin care, application of topical oils may reduce the incidence of sepsis in preterm infants. • There is no difference in mortality with the use of topical emollients. WHAT IS NEW: • Low-certainty evidence documented an improvement in skin integrity with the use of topical emollients and a reduction in the incidence of culture-positive neonatal sepsis with topical oil application. • No major adverse effects of topical emollients were observed.
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