AI Article Synopsis
- The structure of the skin barrier, specifically the stratum corneum (SC), develops significantly from before birth to around 4 years of age, with considerable variability among individuals within the same age group.
- Measurements of skin barrier function, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and SC thickness, were taken from 171 children aged 3 months to 4 years and 44 mothers, highlighting the importance of a large population for trend analysis.
- Skin surface area expansion rates are highest before birth, then level out around 1 year, while SC thickness increases and TEWL decreases, with values reaching adult levels only by age 3-4, indicating a link between hydration and skin surface area changes.
Article Abstract
The structure of the stratum corneum (SC) and the corresponding skin barrier develops from before birth up to about 4 years of age. Large subject-to-subject variability within an age group requires a large population to observe trends in skin barrier properties over time. Barrier function, quantified by transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and SC thickness, was measured on the upper inner arm and dorsal forearm in subjects aged 3 months to 4 years (n = 171) and a subset of mothers (n = 44). The rate of skin surface area expansion as a function of age peaked before birth (∼90 cm2/week) and declined to a steady plateau (∼10 cm2/week) by 1 year of age. SC thickness increased and TEWL decreased, but did not reach adult values until 3-4 years of age. A better understanding of how skin hydration changes after birth suggests that barrier function may be related mechanistically to skin surface area expansion.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000444805 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!