Importance of Skin Function

Skin plays a critical role as a barrier between the body and the external environment. A healthy skin barrier provides protection from irritants and infection, minimizes water loss, ensures proper temperature regulation and helps protect from abrasion. Keeping baby’s skin healthy is important for overall health.

For more information on the skin barrier and structure, characteristics of healthy skin and the protection benefits it provides, as well as anatomical differences between preterm and full-term infant skin, download the PDFs below for education and training:

• Quick Reference Guide: Importance of Skin Function
• Card: Infant Anatomical Skin Model