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Newborn Chemical Exposure from Over-the-Counter Skin Care Products

Department of Pediatrics, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL, 60153, 708-216-6314

George H. Lambert, MD

Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153

Simon P. Ros, MD

Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153

Human exposure to potentially toxic environmental chemicals is major concern to our society. Over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products are a potential source of environmental chemical exposure to newborns. A prospective study was undertaken to define existing newborn bathing practices and quantitate environmental chemical exposure from OTC skin care products. One hundred-ninety six mothers of infants discharged from our newborn nursery were asked to respond to a questionnaire concerning newborn bathing practices and OTC skin care product usage. Complete questionnaires were returned by 23% of the mothers. The average newborn had 8 ± 3 (± SEM) skin care products applied with the resultant exposure to 48 ± 18 different environmental chemicals. Forty-seven percent of our respondents used a baby powder. The average one month old was bathed 4 times a week and was shampooed 3 times weekly. Seventy-eight percent of the respondents reported that their newborn had a rash but only 45% of those reporting a rash sought professional medical advice. Thirty-seven percent of the mothers reporting a rash made a change in bathing practice or product selection. In view of our findings, the human newborn is exposed to a large number of environmental chemicals thorough topical OTC preparations. The efficacy, transcutaneous absorption and potential toxicity of these products should be investigated.

Clinical Pediatrics, Vol. 30, No. 5, 286-289 (1991)
DOI: 10.1177/000992289103000504


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