Lanugokarvojen

Lanugokarvojen is a Finnish term that translates to "lanugo hair" in English. Lanugo is the fine, soft, and usually unpigmented hair that forms on the body of a fetus during the fifth month of gestation. This hair is shed in the uterus, typically around the seventh or eighth month, and is replaced by vellus hair. Vellus hair is the short, fine, light-colored "peach fuzz" that covers most of the human body.

While lanugo hair is primarily associated with fetal development, it can sometimes be observed in newborns. This is particularly common in premature infants. In such cases, the lanugo hair may persist for a short period after birth before being replaced by vellus hair.

In rare instances, the reappearance of lanugo hair in older children or adults can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. This phenomenon is known as lanuginosa and can be associated with certain types of cancer, particularly internal malignancies. When lanugo hair appears in individuals who are not fetuses or newborns, it is often referred to as acquired lanugo. Medical investigation is typically recommended to determine the cause of acquired lanugo. The presence of lanugo hair itself is not harmful, but its appearance in later life warrants attention.