The nursing care of newborns affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa: a review of the literature

Abstract Introduction. Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a paradigm for disorders of tissue fragility. It is a grouping of more than 30 inherited and rare conditions in which bullous lesions, primarily affecting the skin, arise after exposure to mechanical trauma. The clinical manifestations of EB range from superficial local blistering to severe disseminated skin erosions with bleeding and can involve other structures including the eyes, esophagus, and urinary tract. Materials and methods. The search string: "Epidermolysis bullosa [Mesh] AND Newborn [Mesh] OR Neonate" was used to consult the following databases: Nursing Reference Center, Clinical Evidence, UpToDate, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Medline and CINAHL. 51 articles were included in the review. Results and conclusions. The care management of patients with EB is complex, as the therapy essentially has two different aims: injury prevention and wound care managed with specific medications in order to avoid infection and scarring. The failure of this complex clinical management can lead to the occurrence of local and, in severe cases, systemic complications. The families of discharged babies face many physical, emotional and economic challenges. However, by educating the family, children with EB can lead a nearly normal life.