Vernix caseosa, also known as vernix, is the waxy or cheeselike white substance found coating the skin of newborn

human babies.
Contents
[hide]

1 Etymology 2 Characteristics o 2.1 Composition o 2.2 Morphology o 2.3 Physical properties o 2.4 Biological properties 3 Secretion 4 Functions 5 Additional images 6 References 7 Further reading

[edit]Etymology In Latin, vernix means varnish and caseosa means cheesy. [edit]Characteristics [edit]Composition Vernix has a highly variable makeup but is primarily composed of sebum, cells that have sloughed off the fetus's skin and shed lanugohair.[1] 12% of the dry weight of vernix is branchedchain fatty acid-containing lipids,[2] cholesterol and ceramide.

Vernix of term infants has more squalene and a higher wax ester to sterol ester ratio than preterm infants.[1] Comparison of lipid components of Vernix Caseosa, Stratum corneum and Skin surface (Sebaceous): [3][4] [show]Lipid fractions Vernix Stratum Skin surface caseosa lipids corneum lipids lipids

Amino acid composition of vernix caseosa:[4][5] [show]Amino acid Percent [edit]Morphology Cells of vernix are tyically polygonal or ovoid in shape and lack nucleus. Nuclear ghosts are frequently observed. Vernix corneocyteslack desmosomal attachment and this distinguishes them from corneuocytes found in mature stratum corneum.[6] Thickness of a corneocyte is 1-2 m. These cells are surrounded by layer of amorphous lipids lacking typical lamellar architecture present in mature stratum corneum.[4] [edit]Physical

properties

Vernix is not uniformly distributed, but rather present in form of cellular sponges. The critical surface tension of cervix is 39 dyne/cm.[7]Despite its water content (82%), vernix is nonpolar. These features point towards the "waterproofing" function of vernix, thereby preventing heat loss soon after birth.[4]

[edit]Biological

properties

Vernix provides electrical isolation for the fetus,[8] which is presumably important aspect of developing fetal anatomy.[4] Early scientific studies indicated increased evaporative heat loss in infants when vernix was removed soon after birth;[9] but newer reports confirm that washing skin surface after birth reduces evaporative water losses compared to surface of newborns in which vernix is left in situ. [10]Vernix is hydrophobic. [edit]Secretion The sebum in vernix is produced in utero by the sebaceous glands around the 20th week of gestation. Vernix appears primarily in full term infants, while premature and postmature births generally lack any.[1] Postdates desquamation (flakey skin in babies born >42 weeks) is thought to be due to loss of vernix. [edit]Functions Vernix is theorized to serve several purposes, including moisturizing the infant's skin, and facilitating passage through the birth canal. It serves to conserve heat and protect the delicate newborn skin from environmental stress. Vernix is also thought to have an antibacterial effect;[4] though there is little evidence to support a chemica