Skin permeability in the newborn.

Skin permeability to drugs was assessed in the newborn infant using an in vitro method. Excised skin samples were studied in a Franz-type cell, and permeability to 0.1 M sodium salicylate was measured. Fourteen samples were studied, from infants of 25-41 weeks gestation and up to 8 days old. Gestation markedly affected skin permeability to salicylate, absorption being 10(2)-10(3) times greater in infants of 30 weeks gestation or less than in term infants. There are important implications for the high permeability of the preterm infant's skin; accidental poisoning from absorption of topically applied agents can easily occur, and the percutaneous route offers an alternative method of therapeutic drug administration.