Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology, Max-Planck Research Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
Neonatology. 2023;120(3):295-307. doi: 10.1159/000529026. Epub 2023 Mar 17.
The skin of preterm infants is a delicate organ with critical structural and functional differences as compared to term born infants. Unique features contribute to an increased susceptibility to injury, infection, thermal instability, and water loss. During rapid, often accelerated adaption of the physical barrier function of preterm skin, a parallel and mutual development of host skin immunity and skin microbiome seem to be crucial for skin homeostasis. Recent advances in molecular biology have enabled researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the microbial community composition of preterm skin and the important relationship with microbiome composition of other body sites. Nevertheless, several questions remain to be answered, including niche factors and environmental influences on skin maturation. In line with that, evidence-based guidelines on skin care practice in preterm infants are missing. This review articles aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge of preterm infant skin development including immune and barrier function, host-microbial interactions, and potential clinical implications.
早产儿的皮肤是一种脆弱的器官，与足月出生的婴儿相比，其结构和功能存在显著差异。独特的特征导致早产儿皮肤更容易受到损伤、感染、热不稳定和水分流失的影响。在早产儿皮肤的物理屏障功能快速适应的过程中，宿主皮肤免疫和皮肤微生物组的平行和相互发展似乎对皮肤稳态至关重要。分子生物学的最新进展使研究人员能够更深入地了解早产儿皮肤的微生物群落组成，以及与其他身体部位微生物组组成的重要关系。然而，仍有几个问题需要解答，包括对皮肤成熟的生态位因素和环境影响。与此相关的是，早产儿皮肤护理实践的循证指南尚不存在。这篇综述文章旨在概述早产儿皮肤发育的现有知识，包括免疫和屏障功能、宿主-微生物相互作用以及潜在的临床意义。
