A new mother asks the nurse about the white substance covering her infant. The nurseexplains that the purpose of vernix caseosa is to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Vernix caseosa is a white, creamy, naturally occurring biofilm covering the skin of the fetus during the last trimester of pregnancy and in newborns. Its primary function is to protect the fetal skin from the amniotic fluid, preventing it from becoming waterlogged or chapped. It does not directly promote peripheral nervous system development, transport oxygen and nutrients, or regulate fetal temperature.

A New Mother Asks the Nurse About the White Substance