Transepidermal water loss in newborn infants. IV. Small for gestational age infants.
Using a method described earlier, the evaporation rate (ER) from the skin was studied at different ambient humidities in 14 full-term and 10 pre-term small for gestational age (SGA) infants. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was estimated in 25 SGA infants born after 30-40 weeks of gestation. Comparisons were made with infants appropriate for gestational age (AGA). A linear relationship was found between ER and ambient humidity in full-term SGA infants, but with lower ER values than in AGA infants. Lower ER values were also found in moderately pre-term SGA infants at different ambient humidities. ER was higher at lower ambient humidities in both SGA and AGA infants. In full-term and moderately pre-term SGA infants TEWL was lower than in corresponding AGA infants.
D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012881:Skin Temperature; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible