What is lanugo and how does it affect newborn babies?

The medical term lanugo refers to the soft, fine hair that covers the body of newborn babies when they are still in the womb. Lanugo occurs in all human fetuses, but it’s only present in high levels during the last trimester of pregnancy. Once your baby is born, lanugo will disappear naturally over time, usually within about two weeks. Unfortunately, lanugo doesn’t always disappear at this rate because it can also be caused by severe medical conditions that cause rapid weight loss or failure to thrive in newborns.

What is Lanugo?

Lanugo (sometimes called the peach fuzz) develops after about the third trimester, as a result of fetal hair follicles maturing. It's an indication that the baby is getting close to being born. Babies are born with lanugo all over their body, but gradually lose it during the first few weeks of life. Lanugo also helps regulate body temperature in infants, so they don't get too hot or too cold. It usually disappears after birth, but in some cases, the condition persists. Lanugo is most often seen in premature infants. In some rare cases, people can have lanugo hair on their face as they grow up. Lanugo may be caused by hormonal deficiencies or other medical conditions. It is not harmful in any way to an individual's health. Lanugo causes almost no symptoms. Lanugo has been linked to such issues as low levels of thyroid hormones and high levels of progesterone or estrogen.

Who does it affect most?

Lanugo affects most babies, but it's more common in premature or low-birth weight infants. Lanugo is a layer of fine hair that covers the body, head, eyebrows, and eyelids. It's often seen in children with an underactive thyroid gland. A baby may also have lanugo if they're born prematurely or if they weigh less than 5 pounds at birth. These cases are rarer and usually occur when the placenta does not produce enough hormones to keep a baby warm. Babies who suffer from lanugo will need extra care because their bodies don't naturally regulate their temperature as well as adults do. There are also other causes for lanugo; one being hypothyroidism which can be treated by taking hormone pills orally (more commonly prescribed to pregnant women).

What are some symptoms of Lanugo?

Lanugo hair, sometimes referred to as baby down, are soft, fine hairs that grow on the body of a fetus or baby. While Lanugo hair is typically shed by infants after they are born, some babies still have these fine hairs when they are born. Babies who are born prematurely or underweight are more likely to have Lanugo hair than full-term infants. In rare cases, Lanugo can be a sign of an underlying condition such as Trisomy 18 or Trisomy 13. There are different levels of severity for Lanugo: some cases can be mild while other cases may require intervention from a medical professional. Symptoms of Lanugo vary depending on the individual, but common symptoms include excessive sweating, loose skin (especially around the neck), and problems maintaining temperature regulation. Infants with Lanugo often appear thin and fragile due to their thin skin, which is usually caused by lack of fat reserves because the infant's diet has not yet been established. Symptoms typically clear up within two weeks; however if your child displays any symptoms beyond this time frame you should consult your pediatrician about them.

Causes of lanugo

Lanugo is a type of body hair that grows on the face, arms, legs, and torso. Lanugo can be found on infants in the womb because their lanugo is usually covered by amniotic fluid for most of the pregnancy. When a baby enters into the world, he or she will no longer have this protection. The lanugo will grow if not removed due to being exposed to air constantly. The lanugo provides insulation against cold temperatures and helps regulate body temperature by controlling perspiration. As an infant grows older, his or her body will produce more lanugo when needed. This function is meant to protect from extreme temperatures but can also lead to overheating in warmer climates during summer months.

Treatment options for newborns affected by lanugo

There are a variety of treatment options for newborns affected by lanugo. Lanugo can be rubbed off, clipped off, or shaved off to help keep the baby warm. There are also devices that can be attached to an incubator or bassinet to help maintain the baby's warmth. If the lanugo doesn't come off or if the baby needs additional warmth, then they should be treated with a warmer blanket, lamp, or heating pad until their body matures enough to generate heat on its own. Another option would be to use medications such as antihistamines and antipsychotics which act as a sedative. I believe these treatments will help alleviate the issue of lanugo in newborn babies as well as protect them from going into shock due to hypothermia. Lanugo can also be treated by giving the baby thyroxine medication which will help remove it from their body over time. Most doctors prescribe thyroid hormone to treat lanugo for up to 12 months after it first appears.