Skin Care of Infants Born at 21-23 Weeks' Gestation

Abstract

As more neonatal centers are caring for premature infants at 21-23 weeks' gestational age (GA), a growing need for improved practices related to routine skin care exists. Approach to skin care in this GA is challenging because the skin barrier is not completely formed at this developmental stage, leading to an increased risk of insensible water loss; increased sodium and nutritional requirement; and greater susceptibility to injury, infection, and temperature instability. Effective skin care in this population requires a proactive, standardized, multidisciplinary approach. In this review, we describe an expert and experience-based guide for skin care in this population with a focus on infection prevention, fluid and nutrition management, avoidance of injury, and routine skin care.