The epidermal barrier

P Cartlidge - Seminars in neonatology, 2000 - Elsevier
A mature epidermis is an effective barrier which prevents dehydration from the loss of body
water, poisoning from the absorption of noxious substances, and systemic infection from
invading surface microorganisms. The epidermal barrier resides within the most superficial
layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. In utero the fetus has no need for a skin barrier, so the
stratum corneum does not start to develop until around 24 weeks' gestation. After 24 weeks
there is a steady increase in the number of epidermal cell layers and in epidermal thickness …