Vernix caseosa

Vernix caseosa (also: vernix or vernix ) is a whitish respect to the skin, with the newborn comes into the world. Their absence at the time of birth indicates a transmission.

Made the vernix from the 17th week of pregnancy. It consists of 80% water and 10 % lipids, which are formed by the hypertrophied in relation to the postnatal condition sebaceous glands of the fetus. The remainder consists of desquamated epithelial cells of the skin and chipped lanugo hairs and protects the fetus against aggressive components of meconium ( Vorstuhl ) and the macerating effect of amniotic fluid ( amniotic fluid ).

It should be remembered that the skin has only formed at the time of birth a ( nearly ) fully formed barrier function. The vernix now also contains antibacterial polypeptides such as lysozyme ( muramidase ), lactoferrin, inter alia, to protect the fetus against ascending infections during pregnancy, at least in part, an important role in the prevention of bacterial skin infections ( staphylococci) in newborns and especially premature infants likely to play. Thus, the vernix caseosa is now also considered as a multi-part defense system consisting of polypeptides, lipids and their interactions, and - together with the amniotic fluid, which contains the substances also - seen comparable in its antimicrobial properties of human milk. So is now also recommended, but not, or to remove the vernix after birth as gently as possible.