Neonatal skin: Handle with care: A case series

Abstract

The neonatal skin is fragile and should be handled with maximal care. The thin stratum corneum and attenuated rete ridges in neonatal skin makes them vulnerable to physical injury, insensible water loss, thermal instability and infection. The widespread use of Intensive Care Unit facilities for taking specialized care of the neonate brings along with it a better prognosis for survival but has introduced the caveat of many an iatrogenic skin disorder. Most of these iatrogenic disorders are potentially preventable by providing more inclusive rigorous training of neonatal health care providers and observation of utmost vigilance and care.