Sebum levels during the first year of life*

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Abstract
Skin surface lipid levels in 45 newborn babies and 193 infants aged < 12 mo. were determined by an optical density method, using samples collected on ground glass. Although there was a wide individual range, sebum levels in the 1st wk of life were high and were of the same magnitude as in adults. Females displayed a different pattern of sebum excretion from males. On the 1st day of life, the levels in females were lower than in males but a large increase took place between the 3rd-6th day, followed by a fall, bringing the level below that of the males. At 6 mo. levels were low in both sexes. There was a strong stimulation of sebum secretion before birth which probably stopped at or soon after birth. Androgen might be involved in this stimulation and the probable role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was discussed.