AI Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to investigate how different levels of relative humidity (RH) affect skin maturation in preterm infants.
- Researchers measured transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in 22 preterm infants over 28 days, with some infants cared for at 50% RH and others at 75% RH.
- Results showed that infants in the higher RH environment had significantly greater TEWL, indicating slower skin barrier development compared to those in the lower RH setting, which suggests care practices should consider humidity levels for better skin health in preterm infants.
Article Abstract
Objectives: To test the hypothesis that the level of relative humidity (RH) in which preterm infants are nursed might influence their postnatal skin maturation.
Study Design: In 22 preterm infants (GA 23-27 weeks), transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was determined at postnatal ages (PNA) of 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. At a PNA of 7 days, the infants were randomized to care at either 50% or 75% RH.
Results: TEWL decreased at a slower rate in infants nursed at the higher RH. At a PNA of 28 days, TEWL was about twice as high in infants nursed at 75% RH (22 +/- 2 g/m2 h) than in those nursed at 50% RH (13 +/- 1 g/m2 h; P < .001).
Conclusions: The results indicate that the level of RH influences skin barrier development, with more rapid barrier formation in infants nursed at a lower RH. The findings have an impact on strategies for promoting skin barrier integrity in extremely preterm infants.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.11.027 | DOI Listing |
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