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It is widely accepted that the skin of neonates is vulnerable to trauma. This is particularly evident in pre-term infants as the skin is insufficiently developed to withstand the demands of life ex utero. The technology that enables us to sustain infants from 24 weeks also exposes those infants to skin trauma from handling, extravasation injuries, and even heel pricks for blood sampling. The care of the neonate, child or adolescent with skin or wound care conditions presents the practitioner with unique clinical challenges. We are now understanding how best to manage this patient group so as to best protect the skin and avoid unnecessary pain. Paediatric tissue viability involves skin and wound care, pressure area care and has many associated clinical, psychological and sociological issues. This text introduces the reader to some of the areas that might be encountered when working in this area.
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Paediatric Skin and Wound Care