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Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
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Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

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Postnatal changes in skin water content in preterm infants

Akio Ishiguro1, Sumie Fujinuma1, Yukiko Motojima1

  • 1Division of Neonatal Medicine, Center for Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan.

Early Human Development
|June 30, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal dermatology
  • Infant skin physiology
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Preterm infants possess immature skin, increasing susceptibility to skin issues.
  • Postnatal skin development in preterm infants remains under-researched.
  • Understanding skin changes is crucial for neonatal intensive care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the temporal changes in skin water content in preterm infants.
  • To correlate initial skin water content with gestational age.
  • To determine when preterm infant skin reaches term-equivalent hydration.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study of 101 preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit.
  • Skin water content measured using dielectric methods at 1.5mm depth across five regions.
  • Measurements taken on postnatal days 1, 2, 3, 7, and weekly until 37 weeks corrected age.

Main Results:

  • Initial skin water content on day 1 showed an inverse correlation with gestational age.
  • Significant decrease in skin water content observed over time.
  • Skin hydration levels normalized to term infant levels by 32-35 weeks corrected age.

Conclusions:

  • Postnatal changes in skin water content are significant in preterm infants.
  • Skin hydration in preterm infants matures and reaches term-equivalent levels by approximately 32-35 weeks corrected age.
  • Corrected age is a key factor in the postnatal maturation of preterm infant skin water content.
Abstract

Keywords:
Dielectric methodsNewbornPretermSkin careSkin injuryWater content

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