Skin disorders of the premature infant.

Abstract

The defective barrier of the premature infant is associated with high transepidermal water loss. The Author treated 60 infants who had a mean gestationa age of 29 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1,200 grams with a petrolatum based ointment. The treated infants had significantly better skin conditions and significantly decreased - 1 out of 30 - sepsis as compared with non treated infants - 8 out of 30 - (Presented in the International Congress of Neonatal Dermatology, Bari, Italy, September 24-27, 1998).