Skin Care for the Extremely Low-Birthweight Infant
Marty O. Visscher, Katherine McKeown, Melissa Nurre, Ruthann Strange, Tammy Mahan, Melissa Kinnett, Dawanda Campbell, Rachel Baker, Vivek Narendran
Abstract
Extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) infants are at increased risk for infection because the innate immune function of their skin is underdeveloped as they lack a competent epidermal barrier. Thus, neonatal clinicians need to pay careful attention to skin care practices, particularly for periviable infants. In this review, we describe the challenges of skin care in ELBW infants and summarize strategies to prevent skin injury, minimize damage when it occurs, and enhance cutaneous innate immunity.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineInnate immune systemIntensive care medicinePediatricsLow birth weightImmune systemImmunologyPregnancyBiologyGeneticsNeonatal skin health careNeonatal Respiratory Health ResearchWound Healing and Treatments