Table 4 Biophysical outcomes.

From: Biomarkers of neonatal skin barrier adaptation reveal substantial differences compared to adult skin

 

<34 weeks of GA (PT)

34–<37 weeks of GA (LPT)

≥37 weeks of GA (FT)

Adults (Ad)

Statisticsa

Soon after birth, T1

 TEWL (g/m2/h)

14.0 ± 1.6

10.4 ± 1.2

8.7 ± 0.9

10.0 ± 0.9

PT -S- versus FT

 Hydration

106.2 ± 4.1

101.2 ± 3.2

93.8 ± 2.4

116.2 ± 2.3

LPT, FT -S- versus Ad

 pH

6.05 ± 0.18

5.88 ± 0.14

6.09 ± 0.10

5.71 ± 0.10

p = 0.06, no pairwise differences

 Erythema

1.1 ± 0.2

1.0 ± 0.2

0.8 ± 0.1

0.1 ± 0.1

PT, LPT, FT -S- versus Ad

 Dryness

0.7 ± 0.2

0.7 ± 0.2

1.1 ± 0.1

0.0 ± 0.1

PT, LPT, FT -S- versus Ad

 Protein (μg/mL)

16.0 ± 3.5

34.2 ± 2.8

35.8 ± 2.1

9.5 ± 2.1

LPT, FT -S- versus PT, Ad

 Log10 Total NMF

1.87 ± 0.11

1.95 ± 0.09

1.67 ± 0.07

2.39 ± 0.06

PT, LPT, FT -S- versus Ad

2–3 months later, T2

 TEWL (g/m2/h)

11.8 ± 2.8

13.2 ± 2.3

15.9 ± 1.6

10.0 ± 0.9

FT -versus- Ad, p = 0.06

 Hydration

113.2 ± 6.2

110.2 ± 5.1

110.8 ± 3.7

116.2 ± 2.3

-NS-

 pH

5.44 ± 0.19

5.12 ± 0.16

5.23 ± 0.11

5.71 ± 0.10

LPT, FT -S- versus Ad

 Erythema

0.3 ± 0.2

0.2 ± 0.2

0.4 ± 0.1

0.1 ± 0.1

-NS-

 Dryness

0.5 ± 0.2

0.4 ± 0.1

0.5 ± 0.1

0.0 ± 0.1

FT -S- versus Ad

 Protein (μg/mL)

21.2 ± 2.1

18.8 ± 1.9

16.2 ± 1.4

9.5 ± 2.1

PT, LPT, FT -S- versus Ad

 Log10 Total NMF

2.81 ± 0.07

2.72 ± 0.06

2.72 ± 0.04

2.39 ± 0.06

PT, LPT, FT -S- versus Ad

  1. aIndicated here are the post hoc comparisons (Bonferroni) with p < 0.05 from general linear model analyses of the four groups where the model F-statistic is significant at p < 0.05.
  2. -S- significant pairwise comparisons, -NS- not significant, PT infants <34 weeks GA, LPT 34–<37 weeks GA, FT full-term (≥37 weeks GA).
  3. The biophysical measurement results for the three infant groups and adults are shown provided for soon after birth (T1) and 2–3 months later (T2).
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