Desquamation of Newborns Physiological

Physiological desquamation of newborns: what is it and what are its causes?

Neonatal desquamation physiologica, also known as desquamatio physiologica neonatorum, is the natural process of skin sloughing in newborns. This process begins around the third day of a child's life and can last up to several weeks.

Why does desquamation occur in newborns? During pregnancy, the baby's skin is covered with a waxy substance called vernex, which protects the skin from environmental influences. After birth, the vernex begins to flake off and the skin begins to look dry and flaky.

Physiological desquamation of newborns is not a disease and does not require treatment. In most cases, it goes away on its own and does not cause any problems for the child. However, if your child's skin is red and inflamed, has severe peeling or cracks, you should contact your pediatrician.

What can be done to reduce the discomfort for the child during desquamation? Firstly, you should not try to remove flaky parts of the skin, as this can lead to injury and infection. Instead, it is recommended to use gentle, non-greasy lotions or creams to moisturize the skin and reduce itching. You should also avoid using soap, which can dry out your skin.

In conclusion, neonatal desquamation is physiological - a normal process that occurs in many newborns. This process does not require treatment and goes away on its own. However, if your baby's skin is red and inflamed, you should contact your pediatrician. By following simple skin care guidelines, you can reduce the discomfort for your child during desquamation.



Desquamation of newborns (syn.: umbilical ice, physiological pemphigus of newborns, diaper exudate) is a protective phenomenon of the formation of white tears on the mucous membrane of the incompletely separated navel in several thousand out of ten thousand babies. This phenomenon develops in blind children and is less common in blind children. This disease is a sign of the child’s immaturity and requires care of the umbilical area. In modern conditions of nursing babies in specialized maternity hospitals, departments of newborns with physiological desquamation of newborns are gradually disappearing.