1.Comparison of some skin physiological parameters in Mongolian children
Lkhamdari B ; Saranchimeg O ; Batkhishig G ; Dolgorsuren E ; Oyuntsetseg B ; Lim Seung Bin ; Oyuntsatsral B ; Undram S ; Khurelbaatar Naymdavaa ; Enkhtur Yadamsuren ; Baasanjargal Biziya
Diagnosis 2025;112(1):27-33
Background:
The skin barrier serves as the primary defense against environmental factors. Mongolia’s extreme climate conditions may contribute to skin barrier impairment, increased trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and
decreased skin moisture.
Objective:
To determine and compare skin moisture, TEWL, and skin pH levels in children.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2023 with 104 relatively healthy children selected through random sampling. Skin physiological parameters, including skin moisture, skin pH and TEWL were measured following the EEMCO (European Group on Efficacy Measurement of Cosmetics and Other
Topical Products) guidelines using the Multi Skin Test MC750 device (Courage+Khazaka Electronics, Germany) at nine different sites. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and Stata-14 software.
Results:
Among the participants, 51.9% (n=54) reported having dry skin (p<0.0001). Additionally, 64.5% (n=67) used moisturizers, but their usage did not show a statistically significant difference in skin moisture (p=0.929), skin pH (p=0.378), or TEWL (p=0.332). 14.42% (n=15) had extremely dry skin, while 85.58%
(n=89) had dry skin, with no participants falling within the normal skin moisture range. TEWL showed a moderate inverse correlation with age (r=-0.331, p=0.0006). When analyzed by age groups, skin moisture (p=0.023) and TEWL (p=0.038) differed significantly between groups.
Conclusion
Skin moisture and TEWL significantly differ across age groups. Given that all participants had dry skin, moisturization is crucial. Mongolia’s extreme climate is likely a key contributing factor to childhood skin
dryness.