Subject: | |
From: | |
Reply To: | |
Date: | Mon, 10 Apr 2006 11:06:29 -0400 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
Dear Lacnetters,
The discussion on vernix interested me, so I did a quick PubMed search to learn more about it.
Below is a review article which describes the importance of not using soap or removing the vernix
of the newborn. It also points to increased risk of nosocomial infections in infants where the
epidermal barrier is compromised.
I would recommend a PubMed search for anyone who is interested. There are several primary
journal article which examine the innate immune functions of the vernix.
Curr Opin Pediatr. 2005 Aug;17(4):480.
Cutaneous bacterial infections in the newborn.
Larson AA, Dinulos JG.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review examines neonatal bacterial skin infections with respect to host
immunity, bacterial pathogens, patterns of infection, and new therapeutic approaches. RECENT
FINDINGS: Advances have been made in our understanding of innate host defense and the
emerging role of cutaneous antimicrobial peptides of the cathelicidin and defensin families. Toll-
like receptors are being investigated with respect to their interactions with bacteria and other
components of the innate immune defense, such as the antimicrobial peptides. The epidermal
barrier remains an active area of research. Studies confirm that maintaining an intact epidermal
barrier by minimizing exposure to soap and by not removing vernix caseosa are simple measures
to improve skin barrier function. Active barrier-enhancing measures such as the application of
topical emollients have shown mixed results in the prevention of nosocomial infection. A meta-
analysis of studies performed in developed countries showed a trend of increasing risk for
coagulase-negative staphylococcal infection. By contrast, a randomized controlled trial showed
that infants treated with sunflower oil are less likely to experience nosocomial infections than are
control infants. Infants with bacteremia and no known source of infection should be carefully
examined because cutaneous abscesses have been shown to be an important nidus of infection.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is reaching epidemic proportions, making surface
cultures an essential part of the evaluation of cutaneous bacterial infection. SUMMARY: New
insights have been gained regarding the basic science of neonatal host defense and these
advances may produce new ways of approaching the prevention and treatment of bacterial skin
infections in the newborn period.
Warmly,
Laurie Shornick, PhD
St. Louis, MO
***********************************************
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
|
|