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Biology and function of fetal and pediatric skin

Alice King1, Swathi Balaji, Sundeep G Keswani

  • 1Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, The Center for Molecular Fetal Therapy, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA.

Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America
|February 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric skin matures functionally in the first year and again at puberty. Changes in water loss, hydration, and acidity mark these developmental stages.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology and developmental biology

Background:

  • The integumentary system undergoes continuous development from gestation through adulthood.
  • While anatomically mature at birth, infant skin achieves functional maturity within the first year.
  • Puberty represents another significant transitional phase for pediatric skin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the developmental trajectory of the integumentary system.
  • To identify key functional changes in pediatric skin during development.
  • To correlate physiological skin parameters with distinct developmental stages.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal assessment of skin physiological parameters.
  • Measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
  • Assessment of skin hydration and pH levels across different age groups.

Main Results:

  • Infant skin demonstrates evolving functional maturity post-birth.
  • Significant alterations in TEWL, hydration, and acidity occur during infancy and puberty.
  • These physiological changes are indicative of specific developmental periods.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric skin development is characterized by distinct functional transitions.
  • Transepidermal water loss, hydration, and acidity are critical indicators of skin maturation.
  • Understanding these changes is crucial for pediatric dermatology and skincare.

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