Effects of skin care on the development of healthy skin barrier function and skin microbiomes in infants

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K17676
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Lifelong developmental nursing; Childhood science (childhood environment science)
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Yonezawa Kaori 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 助教 (20791388)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 新生児 / 皮膚バリア機能 / 皮膚トラブル / 皮膚常在菌叢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we determined skin barrier function changes immediately before and 30 and 90 min after bathing at 2 weeks. A crossover study of the same individuals revealed that the barrier function changes were affected by moisturizer application at 3 months of age. In addition, for the first time, the skin microbiome at 2 weeks was associated with the onset of subsequent skin problems even after adjusting the skin barrier function. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the skin microbiome in addition to the skin barrier function in order to prevent skin problems in newborns and infants and to promote healthy skin growth. It is then necessary to develop personalized skincare for each newborn.

Free Research Field

助産学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

先行研究ではスキンケアの後、次のスキンケアを行うまでの間に「皮膚に何が起こっていたのか」を検討したものは少ない。背景の異なる対象者において、さらに経時的な変化を詳細に検討することで、そのケアが、皮膚に対する刺激となるか、保護として作用するか、皮膚バリア機能のへの影響を丁寧に見たことに意義がある。また、健康な乳児を対象とし、日常的に行う沐浴や保湿というスキンケアによる、皮膚バリア機能と皮膚常在菌叢への複合的な影響を詳細に検討した点に学術的・臨床面での意義がある。今後、この結果を個別性に応じたスキンケア方法の開発につなげることを目指す。