Objectives:To test the hypothesis that the level of relative humidity (RH) in which preterm infants are nursed might in-fluence their postnatal skin maturation. Study design:In 22 preterm infants (GA 23-27 weeks),transepidermal water loss(TEWL) was determined at postnatal ages (PNA) of 0,3,7,14,and 28 days. At a PNA of 7 days,the infants were randomized to care at either 50%or 75%RH. Results:TEWL decreased at a slower rate in infants nursed at the higher RH. At a PNA of 28 days,TEWL was about twice as high in infants nursed at 75%RH (22 ±2 g/m2 h) than in those nursed at 50%RH(13 ±1 g/m2 h; P < 0.001). Conclusions:The results indicate that the level of RH influences skin barrier development,with more rapid barrier formation in infants nursed at a lower RH.The findings have an impact on strategies for promoting skinbarrier integrity in extremely preterm infants.
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