Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

The immature skin

1988; Oxford University Press; Volume: 44; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a072303

1471-8391

N Rutter,

Wound Healing and Treatments

The infant below 28 weeks gestation is born with an immature skin with a poorly formed epidermal barrier, although rapid postnatal maturation occurs over the first two weeks of life. This leads to a high transepidermal water loss with consequent difficulties in fluid balance and temperature control, accidental poisioning from percutaneous absorption of chemicals, and surperficial damage from use of adhesives in neonatal care. Percutaneous respiration occurs more readily than at term and may be of benefit. Immaturity of the dermis and the associated skin appendages is not of major clinical significance.