In vivo analysis of the stratum corneum of Japanese neonates and infants using confocal Raman spectroscopy: a pilot study

Abstract

Background Physiological skin properties of neonates and infants change drastically after birth and are implicated in the onset of atopic dermatitis and other diseases. Studies have measured physiological skin properties in infants; however, how these properties change over time remains unclear. No reports have measured ceramide in the stratum corneum of infants using confocal Raman spectroscopy; hence, we used it to measure the physiological properties of the skin, including ceramide, in infants. Materials and methods The water content and other factors in the skin of infants aged 0, 1, and 6 months were measured. All measurements were performed five times indoors at 22 ± 2°C and 50% ± 10% relative humidity in the middle of the calf at 4‐µm distances, and their mean was calculated. Results The water content of the area between the skin surface and superficial layers was the lowest in newborns as compared with other ages, and the deeper the skin layer, the higher the water content. The stratum corneum, evaluated using confocal Raman spectroscopy, was the thickest in newborns and gradually thinned with age. Its water content was the lowest in newborns. The levels of natural moisturizing factor, ceramide, and cholesterol were higher in newborns and tended to decrease with age. Conclusion This report is the first to evaluate ceramide in the stratum corneum of infants using confocal Raman spectroscopy and could help in conducting subsequent longitudinal measurements of physiological skin properties in neonates and infants.

Longitudinal Correlations between Molecular Compositions of Stratum Corneum and Breast Milk Factors during Infancy: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study

“…The SC thickness is thinnest at approximately 1 to 6 months of age [ 25 , 26 ]. The SC then thickens until approximately 10 years of age, after which it becomes as thick as that of an adult.…”

“…CRS is a noninvasive and highly sensitive optical method for measuring SC components at depth. Therefore, CRS is more suitable for measuring SC components in infants, as they are more sensitive than adults [ 25 ].…”

“…Water content; levels of NMF, ceramide, cholesterol, and lactic acid; and SC thickness were estimated using a confocal Raman spectrometer (CRS; Model 3510 Skin Composition Analyzer; RiverD B.V., Rotterdam, The Netherlands). Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and SC hydration were measured using a Tewameter (TM300; Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH, Köln, Germany) and Corneometer (CM 825; Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH), as previously reported [ 25 ]. Measurements were performed at 0 (1–7 days old), 1 (±14 days), 2 (+1 month), 6 (5–10 months), and 12 (11–24 months) months ( Figure 1 ).…”

Prevention of atopic dermatitis in high‐risk neonates via different types of moisturizer application: A randomized, blinded, parallel, three‐group, phase II trial (PAF study)

“…The water content of the area between the skin surface and superficial layers is the lowest in newborns and that the levels of natural moisturizing factor, ceramide, and cholesterol are higher in newborns but decreases with age based on confocal Raman spectroscopy. 25 During the early stages of infancy, skin barrier functions dramatically change; hence, a personalized emollient application based on individual skin barrier functions may be considered. We are developing a novel non-invasive device that evaluates skin barrier functions, such as transepidermal water loss and water content and thickness of the stratum corneum, in only 5 s. 26 In the future, it may be necessary to individually evaluate skin barrier functions and correspondingly adjust the frequency of moisturizer application for personalized AD prevention.…”

“…The water content of the area between the skin surface and superficial layers is the lowest in newborns and that the levels of natural moisturizing factor, ceramide, and cholesterol are higher in newborns but decreases with age based on confocal Raman spectroscopy 25 . During the early stages of infancy, skin barrier functions dramatically change; hence, a personalized emollient application based on individual skin barrier functions may be considered.…”