Statement of the problem/Rationale: Skin of premature neonates may be overly susceptible to skin tears due to decreased elasticity of the skin. There is also a risk of staphylococcus or fungal infections in neonates when petrolatum products are used.1,2 Dry skin is an issue for the pediatric population, with as many as 50% of PICU admissions exhibiting this symptom.3 Current clinical practice guidelines recommend applying an emollient every 12 hours or as needed.4 We set out to document if a non-petrolatum product could be used just once a day and provide effective reductions in xerosis.

Methodology: Case studies were documented using the non-petrolatum emollient cream applied daily after the bath with photography weekly.

Results: Subject #1 is a preemie born at 25wks weighing 610gms. Skin was dry, scaly and very fragile. After one week, no scaly, dry skin was evident.

Subject #2 is a 30-week-old, 6.8kg weight neonate. Initially, the subject's skin was red, tight, and peeling. After treatment with the emollient, the subject's skin showed no redness and was much more supple to touch and observation.

Subject #3 is a 14-year-old patient weighing 27.2 kg at admission. Subject's skin was dry and cracking at joints with skin breakage at right knee. Cracked skin at left knee was healed and moist upon 7 days of treatment.

Conclusion: General skin condition of the subjects after application of the emollient cream was soft, supple and free from breakdown.

Behavioral objectives: 1. Understand current practices and guidelines for Neonatal skin care 2. Review evidence of emollient cream used in a NICU & PICU