Do baby wet wipes change periurethral aerobic flora?

There is massive enteric bacterial colonization in the periurethral region during infancy. Fecal soiling is considered to be responsible for this colonization. We hypothesized that baby wet wipes containing chemical cleansing compounds, which are used for the cleaning of babies after diaper soiling, could be a contributing factor in this colonization. Thus, the effect on periurethral flora of two different methods of baby cleaning was compared. Periurethral culture samples were obtained from 173 infants who were cleaned with baby wet wipes (Group A, n = 96) or water and napkins (Group B, n = 77) after diaper soiling. The colonization of uropathogens and the presence of flora were analyzed. The results of the periurethral cultures were similar in both groups. The rates of uropathogen colonization only, uropathogen and skin flora colonization, and skin flora only or no growth in Groups A and B were 18.7, 61.5, and 19.8%, and 14.3, 66.2, and 19.5, respectively. The differences between the groups were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the frequency of uropathogen isolation between males and females. We therefore concluded that baby wet wipes are as safe as water for the cleaning of babies after diaper soiling.