The use of a synthetic skin covering as a protective layer in the daily care of low birth weight infants.

Skin damage is often seen as a result of the use of adhesive ECG electrodes. The protective quality of a new synthetic dressing, Omiderm, was tested on 34 infants weighting 800-3850 g. In a controlled trial the amount of skin damage caused by heart monitoring electrodes was evaluated after 48 h in which Omiderm protected the infants' chest and after an additional 48 h without protection. Omiderm did not interfere with the heart monitoring process. Results showed significantly less damage in the protected areas. No toxic or allergic reactions were observed.