Zinc Deficiency and Diaper Rash

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Several weeks before our daughter was due to be discharged from the NICU, she developed a severe diaper rash.

We tried everything- several different types of cream, airing her bottom out, bottom baths, etc. Despite all of our best efforts (doctors and nurses included!), our poor little girl was still red as a cherry, and in extreme discomfort.

As a mom this was incredibly difficult to watch. When your baby has so many pains and struggles that most normal babies don't have, its hard to see their level of discomfort increased by something so simple.

Enter one brilliant Neonatologist! One of the doctor's on our little girl's team had come across an article in a medical journal about zinc deficiencies. Zinc deficiencies are more common in preemies because the third trimester is when they store it up (our daughter had skipped that last trimester all together). Sometimes zinc deficiency can cause severe diaper rash, rash that is not alleviated by cream.

Since we had tried everything else, we were desperate and decided to give this theory a shot. An extra zinc supplement was added to her regular daily dose of supplements.

Miraculously, within days the rash cleared.

I share this because only one doctor out of four thought of it, and only because she had stumbled upon it in a medical journal. Perhaps its not a common problem, and perhaps not every doctor is aware of it.

If your preemie develops an incurable diaper rash, I recommend asking your doctor about the possibility of a zinc deficiency. Here's to your baby's healthy and happy bottom!