Remarks

• By topical emollients, the recommendation refers to creams, ointments, lotions, oils, gels, sprays and emulsions for skin care, applied routinely to whole or part of the body, without additional massage.
• In making this recommendation, the Guideline Development Group (GDG) agreed there was insufficient evidence on the benefits and harms, if any, of routine application of topical emollients in term, healthy newborns for either preventing skin conditions (including atopic dermatitis, skin dryness and others) or atopic sensitization to allergens (food or inhalation).
• The recommendation is based on evidence from studies of term, healthy newborns. Evidence from studies conducted in high-risk populations, such as newborns with family history of allergic disease, preterm and small for gestational age newborns were not considered.
• The recommendation does not preclude further research on emollient use in term, healthy newborns given the lack of evidence on key neonatal outcomes.
• The studies included in the evidence base for this recommendation rarely reported harm. However, the GDG raised concerns about the potential risk of harm with certain types of emollients from pilot randomized controlled trials and observational studies in term newborns and adults, and in studies of preterm newborns and animals.