Final answer:
The cream cheese-like substance that covers a newborn and protects the infant's skin from amniotic fluid is called vernix caseosa. It is a waxy material produced by the fetus's sebaceous glands, offering protection and moisturization, and may also aid in childbirth lubrication. The correct answer to the student's question is vernix caseosa. Option 4 is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The creamy, cheese-like substance that covers a newborn and protects the infant's skin from the amniotic fluid is known as vernix caseosa. This waxy coating serves to moisturize and shield the fetus's skin during development in the womb.
Vernix caseosa is produced by the fetus's sebaceous glands and forms a protective barrier. It begins to form during the second trimester of pregnancy, particularly around weeks 16-20, and continues to thicken until just before birth. It's normal for newborns to be born with patches of vernix, which can look a bit like cream cheese. This substance not only prevents skin irritation from the amniotic fluid but also provides some lubrication during childbirth, making the passage through the birth canal slightly easier.
In contrast, the term lanugo refers to the fine, colorless hair that covers the fetus for a period but is usually shed before or shortly after birth. Meconium is the first stool of a newborn, not a substance found on the skin, and desquamation refers to the peeling of the skin that may occur after birth, typically on the hands and feet.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question, "The newborn is covered with a cream cheese-like substance, which protects the infant's skin from the amniotic fluid. This substance is called:" is option 4) vernix caseosa.