Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 22, 2025

How to Obtain Reliable Visual Event-related Potentials in Newborns
07:39

How to Obtain Reliable Visual Event-related Potentials in Newborns

Published on: October 24, 2019

6.6K

Transepidermal water loss during sleep in infants

A Kahn, E Rebuffat, D Blum

    Sleep
    |April 1, 1987
    PubMed

    Insights

    Infant transepidermal water evaporation rate (ER) differs by sleep state. ER was lower during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep compared to wakefulness or non-REM (NREM) sleep in healthy infants.

    Area of Science:

    • Neonatal physiology
    • Sleep science
    • Dermatology

    Background:

    • Transepidermal water evaporation (TEWE) is a key indicator of skin barrier function.
    • Understanding TEWE variations in infants is crucial for assessing skin health and development.
    • Sleep state influences various physiological parameters in infants.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of sleep-wake states on transepidermal water evaporation (ER) in infants.
    • To determine if sleep state affects ER measurements in a healthy infant population.

    Main Methods:

    • Transepidermal water evaporation rate (ER) was measured in 207 infants using an Evaporimeter.
    • Measurements were taken from the forehead during polygraphic sleep recordings.
    • ER values were analyzed in relation to different sleep states: quiet wakefulness, non-REM (NREM) sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

    Main Results:

    • ER was significantly lower during REM sleep (8.5 g/m2 X h) compared to quiet wakefulness (11.6 g/m2 X h) and NREM sleep (11.2 g/m2 X h).
    • These differences in ER were not influenced by infant age, sex, weight, or rectal temperature, as confirmed by covariance analysis.
    • The findings highlight state-dependent variations in water loss through the skin in infants.

    Conclusions:

    • Infant transepidermal water evaporation rate is significantly influenced by the state of sleep or wakefulness.
    • Researchers should account for sleep-wake state when interpreting TEWE data in infants.
    • These findings contribute to a better understanding of infant skin physiology and its regulation during sleep.

    More Related Videos

    Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

    Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

    Published on: October 2, 2019

    12.1K
    Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling03:46

    Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

    Published on: October 11, 2018

    10.4K

    Related Concept Videos

    Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss01:57

    Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss

    Though evaporation from plant leaves drives transpiration, it also results in loss of water. Because water is critical for photosynthetic reactions and other cellular processes, evolutionary pressures on plants in different environments have driven the acquisition of adaptations that reduce water loss.
    26.9K
    Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

    Sleep-Wake Cycles

    Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
    NREM Sleep
    NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
    1.9K
    Disorder of Water Balance01:29

    Disorder of Water Balance

    Water balance disorders are medical conditions that occur when there is a deviation from the body's water volume or osmolarity, disrupting normal homeostasis and leading todehydration, hypotonic hydration, hyperhydration, edema, or water intoxication.
    Dehydration
    Dehydration occurs when the body loses fluids (particularly water).
    Causes:
    The major causes of dehydration include excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and diuresis.
    Signs and Symptoms:
    Symptoms primarily include intense...
    1.7K
    Regulation of Water Intake01:25

    Regulation of Water Intake

    Osmolality refers to the number of solute particles per kilogram of solvent in a solution. Plasma osmolality specifically indicates the total number of solute particles per kilogram of water in blood plasma. This value reflects the body's hydration status and is tightly regulated through mechanisms controlling water intake and output. While water consumption is a conscious decision, the body has intrinsic regulatory systems to maintain fluid balance. Dehydration, a state of water deficit...
    1.7K
    Transcellular Transport of Solutes01:23

    Transcellular Transport of Solutes

    Transcellular transport of solutes is the movement of substances like monosaccharides and amino acids through polarized cells. This transport mechanism is primarily seen in epithelial and endothelial cells aided by membrane transport proteins such as channels and transporters. The tight junctions between these cells confine the membrane proteins to the two sides of the cell. The epithelial cells have distinct apical and basolateral domains. In contrast, the endothelial cells show the luminal...
    4.1K
    Regulation of Water Output01:26

    Regulation of Water Output

    The human body predominantly expels water through the urinary system. On average, an individual generates around 1.5 liters of urine each day. This amount can fluctuate based on how well a person is hydrated, but a critical minimum quantity of urine must be produced to ensure the body's proper functioning. Daily, the kidneys remove 600 to 1200 milliosmoles of dissolved substances, effectively excreting excess minerals and water-soluble toxins such as creatinine, urea, and uric acid from the...
    1.3K