Skin Physiology of the Neonate and Infant: Clinical Implications
- PMID: 26487977
- PMCID: PMC4593874
- DOI: 10.1089/wound.2015.0642
Skin Physiology of the Neonate and Infant: Clinical Implications
Abstract
Significance: The skin is a complex and dynamic organ that performs several vital functions. The maturation process of the skin starts at birth with the adaption of the skin to the comparatively dry environment compared to the in utero milieu. This adaptive flexibility results in the unique properties of infant skin. To deliver appropriate care to infant skin, it is necessary to understand that it is evolving with unique characteristics. Recent Advances: The role of biophysical noninvasive techniques in the assessment of skin development underlines the importance of an objective evaluation of skin physiology parameters. Skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, and pH values are measurable with specific instruments that give us an accurate and reproducible assessment during infant skin maturation. The recording of these values, following standard measurement procedures, allows us to evaluate the integrity of the skin barrier and to monitor the functionality of the maturing skin over time. Critical Issues: During the barrier development, impaired skin function makes the skin vulnerable to chemical damage, microbial infections, and skin diseases, possibly compromising the general health of the infant. Preterm newborns, during the first weeks of life, have an even less developed skin barrier and, therefore, are even more at risk. Thus, it is extremely important to evaluate the risk of infection, skin breakdown, topical agent absorption, and the risk of thermoregulation failure. Future Directions: Detailed and objective evaluations of infant skin maturation are necessary to improve infant skin care. The results of these evaluations should be formed into general protocols that will allow doctors and caregivers to give more personalized care to full-term newborns, preterm newborns, and infants.
Similar articles
-
Functional skin adaptation in infancy - almost complete but not fully competent.Exp Dermatol. 2010 Jun;19(6):483-92. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2009.01023.x. Epub 2010 Mar 23. Exp Dermatol. 2010. PMID: 20353516 Review.
-
Infant epidermal skin physiology: adaptation after birth.Br J Dermatol. 2012 Mar;166(3):483-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10659.x. Epub 2012 Jan 19. Br J Dermatol. 2012. PMID: 21967466 Clinical Trial.
-
Stratum corneum maturation. A review of neonatal skin function.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2004 Mar-Apr;17(2):57-66. doi: 10.1159/000076015. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2004. PMID: 14976382 Review.
-
Newborn infant skin: physiology, development, and care.Clin Dermatol. 2015 May-Jun;33(3):271-80. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2014.12.003. Epub 2014 Dec 8. Clin Dermatol. 2015. PMID: 25889127 Review.
-
Comparison of two different neonatal skin care practices and their influence on transepidermal water loss in healthy newborns within first 10 days of life.Minerva Pediatr. 2014 Oct;66(5):369-74. Minerva Pediatr. 2014. PMID: 25253185
Cited by
-
Early-life skin microbiota in hospitalized preterm and full-term infants.Microbiome. 2018 May 31;6(1):98. doi: 10.1186/s40168-018-0486-4. Microbiome. 2018. PMID: 29855335 Free PMC article.
-
Classification and possible bacterial infection in outpatients with eczema and dermatitis in China: A cross-sectional and multicenter study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Sep;96(35):e7955. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000007955. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017. PMID: 28858126 Free PMC article.
-
Laundry detergent promotes allergic skin inflammation and esophageal eosinophilia in mice.PLoS One. 2022 Jun 27;17(6):e0268651. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268651. eCollection 2022. PLoS One. 2022. PMID: 35759448 Free PMC article.
-
Skin color influences transcutaneous bilirubin measurements: a systematic in vitro evaluation.Pediatr Res. 2025 Apr;97(5):1706-1710. doi: 10.1038/s41390-024-03081-y. Epub 2024 Feb 17. Pediatr Res. 2025. PMID: 38368497 Free PMC article.
-
Diagnosis of Vascular Anomalies in Patients with Skin of Color.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2024 Oct;17(10):54-62. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2024. PMID: 39445318 Free PMC article. Review.
References
-
- Fluhr JW, Darlenski R, Taieb A, et al. . Functional skin and adaptation in infancy–almost complete but not fully competent. Exp Dermatol 2010;19:483–492 - PubMed
-
- Nikolovski J, Stamatas GN, Kollias N, et al. . Barrier function and water-holding and transport properties of infant stratum corneum are different from adult and continue to develop through the first year of life. J Invest Dermatol 2008;128:1728–1736 - PubMed
-
- Evans NJ, Rutter N. Development of the epidermis in the newborn. Biol Neonate 1986;49:74–80 - PubMed
-
- Proksch E, Brandner JM, Jensen JM. The skin: an indispensable barrier. Exp Dermatol 2008;17:1063–1072 - PubMed
Publication types
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical