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PHYSIOLOGIC SKIN FINDINGS IN THE NEWBORN
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Vernix, derived from the same root as varnish, is the whitish-gray covering on newborn skin and is composed of degenerated fetal epidermis and sebaceous secretions.
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PREVALENCE Seen in all infants.
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The vernix caseosa is thought to play a protective role for the newborn skin with both water-barrier and antimicrobial properties.
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TYPE OF LESION Adherent cheesy material which dries and desquamates after birth (Fig. 1-1).
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DISTRIBUTION Generalized.
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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
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The vernix caseosa is generally very distinctive but must be differentiated from other membranous coverings such as collodion baby and harlequin fetus. Both of these are much thicker, more rigid, and more dry.
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In an otherwise healthy newborn, the vernix caseosa will fall off in 1 to 2 weeks.
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No treatment is necessary. Much of the vernix caseosa is usually wiped from the skin at birth. The rest of the vernix is shed over the first few weeks of life.
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Current newborn skin care recommendations are as follows:
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Full immersion baths are not recommended until the umbilical stump is fully healed and detached.
At birth, blood and meconium can be gently removed with warm water and cotton balls.
Umbilical cord care and/or circumcision varies from hospital to hospital. Several methods include simply maintaining a dry cord environment, local application of alcohol (alcohol wipes), topical antibiotic (bacitracin, Polysporin, or neosporin), or silver sulfadiazine cream (Silvadene) to the area(s) with each diaper change. The umbilical cord typically falls off in 7 to 14 days.
Until the umbilical and/or circumcision sites are healed, spot cleaning the baby with cotton balls and warm water is recommended. After the open sites have healed, the baby can be gently immersed in lukewarm water and rinsed from head to toe.
Avoiding perfumed soaps and bubble baths is best. Fragrance-free, soap-free cleansers are the least irritating. Such cleansers should be used only on dirty areas and rinsed off immediately.
After bathing, newborn skin should be patted dry (not rubbed). The vernix caseosa may still be present and adherent for several weeks. Topical moisturizers are usually not recommended.
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A physiologic red–blue ...