- Lanugo Hair:
- The fine, soft hair covering the fetus is called lanugo.
- Protection:
- Lanugo helps hold vernix caseosa (the protective, creamy substance on the skin) in place, which shields the delicate fetal skin from amniotic fluid.
- Temperature Regulation:
- It provides a layer of insulation, aiding in temperature regulation while the baby develops in the womb.
- Developmental Role:
- Lanugo is a normal part of fetal development and typically sheds before or shortly after birth.