What it means
A greasy, white layer made by the fetus's skin glands and shed skin cells. It protects the skin from the amniotic fluid in the womb and helps keep the newborn warm and moist after birth. Preterm babies have more of it; babies born after their due date often have little, with dry, peeling skin.
For the nurse
It does not need to be scrubbed off: leave it to soak into the skin, and wipe away blood and fluid gently. Its amount helps estimate the baby's gestational age.
In a chart
"Newborn skin pink, moderate vernix in creases of axillae and groin."
At a glance
| Also written | vernix |
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Related terms
milia
Tiny, white, raised bumps on the skin, most often on a newborn's nose, chin and cheeks.