Sebum levels during the first year of life*

Abstract

Skin surface lipid levels in forty-five newborn babies and 193 infants aged less than 12 months were determined by an optical density method, using samples collected on ground glass. Although there was a wide individual range, sebum levels in the first week of life were very high, and were of the same magnitude as in adults. Females displayed a different pattern of sebum excretion from males. On the first day of life, the levels in females were lower than in the males but a large increase took place between the 3rd and 6th day, followed by a fall, bringing the level below that of the males. At 6 months the levels were low in both sexes. These findings suggest that there is a strong stimulation of sebum secretion before birth which probably stops at or soon after birth. Androgen may be involved in this stimulation and the probable role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is discussed.

Postnatal Maturation of Skin Barrier Function in Premature Infants

“…In both regions, no changes over time or an influence of GA could be observed. These findings could reflect a not yet fully matured function of the sebaceous glands in preterm infants [22,38]. …”

“…Earlier investigations with comparable methods in full-term infants revealed an increase in sebum secretion in the first week after birth, followed by a stable course until the fourth week [7,10,38]. Objectively measured sebum levels in preterm infants are, however, difficult to compare with other studies, because of differences concerning measurement techniques, anatomical areas, non-standardized conditions during data collection, unknown skin care procedures, as well as data retrieved from heterogeneous age groups [38,39].…”

“…Objectively measured sebum levels in preterm infants are, however, difficult to compare with other studies, because of differences concerning measurement techniques, anatomical areas, non-standardized conditions during data collection, unknown skin care procedures, as well as data retrieved from heterogeneous age groups [38,39]. The activity of sebaceous glands in preterm infants should be further investigated in future studies.…”

Acne in Infancy and Acne Genetics

“…Familial hyperandrogenism including acne and hirsutism give the evidence that maternal androgens may play a role through transplacental stimulation of sebaceous glands [4]. There is a considerable sebum excretion rate during the neonatal period which decreases markedly to almost not detectable levels following the significant reduction of sebaceous gland volume up to the age of 6 months [5, 6, 7]. There is a direct correlation between high maternal and neonatal sebum excretion suggesting the importance of maternal environment on the infant sebaceous glands [8].…”

Stratum Corneum Maturation

“…The glands are capable of lipid production soon after development, one study citing the appearance of sebaceous lipids in fetal skin samples after more than 110 days, approximately 15 weeks, of gestation [34]. In neonates, sebaceous gland activity is considered a result of maternal hormone exposure, since neonatal sebum secretion is greater than that of 6-month-old infants [35,36]. Sebum is mainly composed of squalene, wax esters, cholesterol esters and triglycerides.…”