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Comparison of stratum corneum thickness in children and adults
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Comparison of stratum corneum thickness in children and adults

Janet A Fairley and James E Rasmussen
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Vol.8(5), pp.652-654
1983
DOI: 10.1016/S0190-9622(83)70074-5
PMID: 6863621

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Abstract

We compared the thickness of the stratum corneum from abdominal skin in infants less than 3 months of age, children between 3 months and 11 years, and adults. Measurements were made with a filar micrometer eyepiece on histologic sections obtained at autopsy. No significant differences were seen; therefore, a stratum corneum of different thickness cannot be used to explain differences in percutaneous absorption, supporting previous work which suggested that term infants and children have an efficient skin barrier. The greater toxicity from percutaneous absorption of topical compounds sometimes seen in children is more likely due to their increased surface to volume ratio and/or metabolic differences.

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