A comparison between a detergent baby bath additive and baby soap on the skin flora of neonates

Abstract A detergent based baby bath additive as an alternative to soap for bathing neonates was investigated. The yield of Staphylococcus aureus , Staph. epidermidis , Pseudomonas spp., Candida spp. and coliforms from skin swabs was compared in a group of 22 babies bathed in the detergent additive with a similar group of 22 babies bathed in soap. No differences were detected in the isolation rate of these organisms between the two groups.