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

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.