At birth, the baby’s body may be partly covered with fine down. This is called lanugo. Why do some infants have them and others don’t, will these hairs disappear, what should be done…? Dr. Fabienne Kochert, pediatrician, answers parents’ questions.
What is lanugo?
At the maternity ward, some parents will notice that their newborn is covered with very fine down. It’s about lanugoof the fluffy hairs which appear from third month of pregnancysays Dr. Fabienne Kochert, pediatrician and president of the AFPA (French Association of Ambulatory Pediatrics). “The lanugo will appear in the fetus, on the cheeks, forehead, shoulders, behind the earsand extend over the limbs”, says the specialist. In summary, this small down may be present on all parts of the body except the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
What is lanugo used for?
Just like the varnish (or vernix caseosa)it will have a protective function for the unborn baby, forming a barrier between skin and amniotic fluid.
Why does my baby have hair on his ears?
Lanugo appears in all fetuses, and it is very abundant. Nevertheless, at birth, most babies do not have oneor very little! “This down is mostly visible in premature babies“, explains Fabienne Kochert. There is nothing to worry about at all. This is simply due to the fact that most of this down usually disappears at the very end of pregnancy. Premature babies being born before term, the hairs did not have time to fall out. If your baby was born at term but the lanugo is still visible, do not panic: it is not a sign of poor health and the down will eventually fall !
When does lanugo disappear in babies?
In a full-term baby, the lanugo has often disappeared when it is born. If this down is still present at birth, in a premature baby, or in a baby born after nine months of pregnancy, it will gradually fall out. “Generally, the lanugo will disappear during the first weeks of the infant’s lifeespecially with the friction of clothing”explains our pediatrician.
What is the difference between lanugo and hypertrichosis or hirsutism?
It may happen that babies are born hairybut it is not down: it can be long, dark and thick hair. “Lanugo should not be confused with a excess hair growth (or hirsutism) or a hypertrichosis. L’excess hair concerns hair on parts of the body that react to sex hormones, such as the genitals or armpits. When the hairs are located on the whole bodywe are talking abouthypertrichosis. If the baby is born very hairy, it is advisable to make an appointment with a pediatric endocrinologist who will verify the absence of hormonal or metabolic abnormalities“emphasizes Dr. Kochert.
Baby is hairy, what to do?
“Absolutely nothing !”says our expert. Do not try to remove the down, the lanugo will disappear naturally. Although these fluffy hairs take longer to disappear in some children, there is no need to worry. And parents can be reassured: the fact that the lanugo is still visible at birth does not mean that the child will be particularly hairy as it grows!