Physiological Aspects of Newborn Skin

Newborn skin is delicate and requires special care and observation due to its fragile nature. A newborn baby’s skin is thin, nearly transparent and vulnerable to breakdown. The physiological properties of newborn skin should be studied in order to improve our understanding of its unique structure and response to environmental conditions. Newborn skin is characteristically thin due to a reduced amount of fat in the subcutaneous layer. Additionally, newborn skin has a sparse amount of sweat glands and is extremely sensitive to changes in temperature. This combination of factors leaves babies vulnerable to thermoregulatory issues. For this reason, appropriate clothing and monitoring of the baby’s environment is essential for proper skin care. Newborns are also prone to ailments such as cradle cap, diaper rash and impetigo. Each of these can be prevented with proper cleaning, moisturizing, and protection. Caring for newborn skin requires special attention to light application of necessary solutions such as barrier creams, sponges, and oils. Newborn skin is also characterized by an immature epidermal barrier and dermal matrix, resulting in an increased risk for dehydration. As the epidermal barrier and dermal matrix improve, the skin changes from being permeable to water, to being more impermeable. For this reason, moisturizers should only be applied a maximum of twice a day. Finally, the vasculature of newborn skin is also rapidly changing due to the addition of new capillary loops and collagen deposition. This change is often accompanied by the appearance of “angiomas” or red dots on the skin. This phenomenon is a part of the normal maturation process of newborn skin, and can be protective against bacterial invasion. All in all, newborn skin requires special care and attention to ensure proper protection and proper healing. The physiological aspects of newborn skin, such as its extremely thin nature, sparse sweat glands, and immature epidermal and dermal layers, put it at risk for dehydration and other ailments. With vigilant monitoring, and proper, gentle cleaning and moisturizing, newborn skin can remain healthy and thrive.