Vernix Caseosa (Cradle Cap) presents as a soft sebaceous-like scalp covering in babies. It is a foetal barrier produced in late pregnancy.
It results from a combination of sebaceous and epidermal lipids, combined with desquamation of maturing foetal corneocytes.
It functions as: moisturiser, wound healer, and waterproofer.
Vernix lacks desmosomal interconnections between corneocytes as demonstrated in adult stratum corneum.
Research suggests that Vernix applied to skin cultures may enhance wound healing in adults.
© 2004 – B Stevens FTTS
