Jeannie Donnelley, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust/Senior Honorary Lecturer Queens University Belfast
Jeannie Donnelley
Uk Director ISTAP; Lead Nurse Tissue Viability
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust/Senior Honorary Lecturer Queens University Belfast

All preterm infants have immature skin. The most vulnerable are born prior to 32 weeks gestation with a very low birthweight or an extremely low birthweight. This presentation will explain why each week of gestation matters, and highlight how genetic defects can result in skin fragility. It will also discuss how supportive care may increase the risk of skin injury, and the simple actions that practitioners can take to reduce harm.