Clinical evaluation and thermal and chemical characterization of hydrocolloid dressing

This study aimed to evaluate clinically and technologically the hydrocolloid, which is a polymeric material used to prevent nasal injury in newborns (NBs) submitted to noninvasive ventilation (NIV). The study was divided into two stages. In the first, a control case study was performed with 11 NBs hospitalized at the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) of a public hospital in the South of Brazil, and who required NIV with nasal hydrocolloid protection. The stage of the injury and the need for exchanging nasal protection were recorded daily until the suspension of NIV. In the second stage, a hydrocolloid sample was subjected to Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The incidence of the injury was 36.36%, all of them being stage I. The hydrocolloid showed no detachment during the use, and did not need to be replaced. As for FTIR, the adhesive surface presented bands with characteristics of a thermoplastic elastomer and sodium carboxymethylcellulose. And the non-adhesive surface showed characteristics of a polyether urethane thermoplastic elastomer. In the TGA, the hydrocolloid presented thermal stability up to 100° C. So, we concluded that the hydrocolloid is an effective protection to prevent the nasal injury presenting good adhesion to the nasal base of the NB.