Marty O Visscher1,2, Andrew N Carr3, Vivek Narendran4,5. 1. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Marty.visscher@gmail.com. 2. College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Marty.visscher@gmail.com. 3. The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH, USA. 4. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. 5. College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of gestational age (GA) and postnatal age on skin barrier integrity by comparing premature infants at full-term corrected age with infants born at term. STUDY DESIGN: Parallel comparison of chest skin in 36 premature infants with 39 full-term infants using daily measures of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin pH, erythema and rash, over 2 weeks. RESULT: Chest skin pH was significantly lower for premature infants, indicating that acid mantle formation had occurred in the premature versus full-term infants. Chest TEWL was significantly higher for premature versus full-term infants over 2 weeks, suggesting that even 7-8 weeks after birth, skin integrity is poorer in premature infants. CONCLUSION: Skin barrier properties of premature infants at adjusted full-term age differ from full-term infants, suggesting that epidermal barrier development depends on GA and time from birth. These maturational differences may influence premature infant response to topical agents.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of gestational age (GA) and postnatal age on skin barrier integrity by comparing premature infants at full-term corrected age with infants born at term. STUDY DESIGN: Parallel comparison of chest skin in 36 premature infants with 39 full-term infants using daily measures of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin pH, erythema and rash, over 2 weeks. RESULT: Chest skin pH was significantly lower for premature infants, indicating that acid mantle formation had occurred in the premature versus full-term infants. Chest TEWL was significantly higher for premature versus full-term infants over 2 weeks, suggesting that even 7-8 weeks after birth, skin integrity is poorer in premature infants. CONCLUSION: Skin barrier properties of premature infants at adjusted full-term age differ from full-term infants, suggesting that epidermal barrier development depends on GA and time from birth. These maturational differences may influence premature infant response to topical agents.
Authors: Aba Lőrincz; Alex Váradi; Péter Hegyi; Zoltán Rumbus; Máté Tuba; Anna Gabriella Lamberti; Margit Varjú-Solymár; Andrea Párniczky; Bálint Erőss; András Garami; Gergő Józsa Journal: Life (Basel) Date: 2022-04-21