In:
Obstetric Medicine, SAGE Publications, Vol. 7, No. 4 ( 2014-12), p. 156-159
Abstract:
It is unknown whether skin’s barrier function changes in pregnancy. Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) refers to the total amount of water loss through the skin and TEWL can be measured non-invasively as an index of skin barrier function. We measured TEWL during and after pregnancy to evaluate pregnancy-related skin barrier function. Methods This was a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of 52 low-risk, first-time pregnant women nested within the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) Ireland study. TEWL (gwater/m2/h) was measured three times during pregnancy: 19–21 weeks, 27–32 weeks and 36 weeks; and three times postnatally: 2–4 days, 2 months and 6 months post-delivery. Data were analysed using SPSS 18.0 and P 〉 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A rise in TEWL was seen between each visit with the highest readings, exceeding the normal range of 0–20 g water /m 2 /h, recorded at two months post-delivery. Forty women attended at two months post-delivery of whom 22 women had an average reading between 0 and 20 g water /m 2 /h; 10 women had an average reading between 21 and 40 g water /m 2 /h and 8 women had an average reading between 41 and 75 g water /m 2 /h. Readings had returned to an average of 0–20 g water /m 2 /h at six months postnatally. Conclusion TEWL increases slightly in pregnancy and the postnatal period. The clinical significance of this is unclear and requires further investigation.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1753-495X
,
1753-4968
DOI:
10.1177/1753495X14547428
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2014
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2455873-4
