Aine Gallagher1, Jonathan O'B Hourihane2, Louise C Kenny1, Alan D Irvine3, Ali S Khashan1. 1. The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. 2. Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Ireland. 3. Dermatology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether skin's barrier function changes in pregnancy. Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) refers to the total amount of water loss through the skin and TEWL can be measured non-invasively as an index of skin barrier function. We measured TEWL during and after pregnancy to evaluate pregnancy-related skin barrier function. METHODS: This was a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of 52 low-risk, first-time pregnant women nested within the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) Ireland study. TEWL (gwater/m2/h) was measured three times during pregnancy: 19-21 weeks, 27-32 weeks and 36 weeks; and three times postnatally: 2-4 days, 2 months and 6 months post-delivery. Data were analysed using SPSS 18.0 and P > 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A rise in TEWL was seen between each visit with the highest readings, exceeding the normal range of 0-20 gwater/m(2)/h, recorded at two months post-delivery. Forty women attended at two months post-delivery of whom 22 women had an average reading between 0 and 20 gwater/m(2)/h; 10 women had an average reading between 21 and 40 gwater/m(2)/h and 8 women had an average reading between 41 and 75 gwater/m(2)/h. Readings had returned to an average of 0-20 gwater/m(2)/h at six months postnatally. CONCLUSION: TEWL increases slightly in pregnancy and the postnatal period. The clinical significance of this is unclear and requires further investigation.
BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether skin's barrier function changes in pregnancy. Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) refers to the total amount of water loss through the skin and TEWL can be measured non-invasively as an index of skin barrier function. We measured TEWL during and after pregnancy to evaluate pregnancy-related skin barrier function. METHODS: This was a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of 52 low-risk, first-time pregnant women nested within the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) Ireland study. TEWL (gwater/m2/h) was measured three times during pregnancy: 19-21 weeks, 27-32 weeks and 36 weeks; and three times postnatally: 2-4 days, 2 months and 6 months post-delivery. Data were analysed using SPSS 18.0 and P > 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A rise in TEWL was seen between each visit with the highest readings, exceeding the normal range of 0-20 gwater/m(2)/h, recorded at two months post-delivery. Forty women attended at two months post-delivery of whom 22 women had an average reading between 0 and 20 gwater/m(2)/h; 10 women had an average reading between 21 and 40 gwater/m(2)/h and 8 women had an average reading between 41 and 75 gwater/m(2)/h. Readings had returned to an average of 0-20 gwater/m(2)/h at six months postnatally. CONCLUSION: TEWL increases slightly in pregnancy and the postnatal period. The clinical significance of this is unclear and requires further investigation.
Entities:
Keywords:
Postnatal; pregnancy; skin barrier; trans epidermal water loss
Authors: Maeve M Kelleher; Michelle O'Carroll; Aine Gallagher; Deirdre M Murray; Audrey Dunn Galvin; Alan D Irvine; Jonathan O'B Hourihane Journal: Pediatr Dermatol Date: 2013-03-05 Impact factor: 1.588
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Authors: Lesley M E McCowan; Gustaaf A Dekker; Eliza Chan; Alistair Stewart; Lucy C Chappell; Misty Hunter; Rona Moss-Morris; Robyn A North Journal: BMJ Date: 2009-03-26