The vernix caseosa is a protective layer on a baby’s skin. It is white and has a cheese-like texture. This fetal grease develops while the baby is still in the womb, and remnants of it remain on the baby’s skin after birth.
But what is the function of this fetal grease, and why is it there? First, it’s important to understand the environment inside the womb where the baby is growing.
For 40 weeks, the fetus is surrounded by amniotic fluid, and vernix caseosa protects the baby’s delicate skin from this fluid. Additionally, vernix caseosa helps keep the baby’s skin ѕmootһ and soft after birth and protects the baby from infections while still in the womb.
The amount of vernix caseosa decreases as the birth approaches, and it is entirely normal to find some of it on the baby even after birth. Preterm infants may have more vernix caseosa, while those born later may have little to none.
