title: Is There a Preventive Role for Vernix Caseosa?: An Invitro Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vernix caseosa is a naturally occurring substance covering the skin of the newborn babies. Chemical composition of Vernix caseosa has been studied. But the antibacterial properties have not been explored phenotypically. There has been only a few studies related to the properties of Vernix caseosa (VC) and most of them focused on deciphering the chemical nature of VC. These studies found that VC has enzymes such as lysozyme, cathelicidin, lactoferrin, defencins, etc, but no study has proved their presence phenotypically.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To know the anti-bacterial and mechanical barrier properties of VC.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study done at Government Lady Goshen Hospital, Mangalore, India. Subjects- 63 healthy infants born by LSCS (Lower Segment Caesaren Section) (Confidence interval- 95%, Power- 90%). In lab, sterility of Vernix caseosa was determined. Lawn culture of S.aureus and E.coli on nutrient agar was done and wells were made in it. Vernix broth was prepared using Tween 80 and was put into the well. It was incubated overnight at 37°C and observed for area of Decreased Bacterial Growth (DBG) around the well. Filter papers impregnated with VC were used for testing for mechanical barrier properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was entered in SPSS 12.0 version and analysed. The zone of inhibition (in mm) in case of bacterial growth was expressed as mean with standard deviation. Student's independent t-test was used to compare the means across the groups (males and females).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in the anti-bacterial property based on gender. DBG {mean (SD)} for E.coli and S.aureus was 18.06 mm (1.56) and 13.34 mm (1.94) respectively (p-value <0.000). Result for mechanical barrier was inconclusive due to limitations explained in the article.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vernix caseosa has antibacterial properties. But further studies are needed to explore the mechanical barrier properties against bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Intern, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University , Mangalore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Anshu Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jha
authors.affiliation: Head of Department and Professor, Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University , Mangalore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Shrikala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baliga
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College , Mangalore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Hn Harsha
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate, Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College , Manipal University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Aseem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rangnekar
authors.affiliation: Head of Department and Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University , Mangalore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: B Shantharam
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Baliga
keywords: Antibacterial property; Decreased bacterial growth; E.coli; Mechanical barrier property; S.aureus