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Oil massage in neonates: an open randomized controlled study of coconut versus mineral oil
K Sankaranarayanan1, J A Mondkar, M M Chauhan
1Department of Neonatology, LTM Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai and Marico Industries Limited, Mumbai, India.
Insights
Coconut oil massage significantly improved weight and length gain in preterm infants compared to mineral oil or placebo. Term infants also showed improved weight gain with coconut oil. Neurobehavioral outcomes were similar across groups.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric dermatology
- Infant growth and development
Background:
- Newborn oil massage is thought to enhance weight gain through improved thermoregulation and potential transcutaneous absorption.
- Previous research suggests benefits of oil massage for infant growth, but comparative studies on different oil types are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of coconut oil, mineral oil, and placebo massage on growth velocity in term and preterm infants.
- To assess the impact of different massage oils on the neurobehavioral outcomes of newborns.
Main Methods:
- An open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted in a metropolitan teaching hospital.
- Infants were categorized into preterm (1500-2000g) and term (>2500g) groups, randomized to receive massage with coconut oil, mineral oil, or placebo.
- Growth velocity was monitored through anthropometry, and neurobehavioral assessment used the Brazelton Score.
Main Results:
- Coconut oil massage significantly increased weight gain velocity in preterm infants compared to mineral oil and placebo.
- Preterm infants receiving coconut oil also demonstrated greater length gain velocity versus placebo.
- Term infants showed significantly greater weight gain velocity with coconut oil compared to placebo. No significant differences in neurobehavioral outcomes were observed.
Conclusions:
- Coconut oil massage is more effective for promoting weight and length gain in preterm infants than mineral oil or placebo.
- Coconut oil massage also enhances weight gain in term infants compared to placebo.
- Massage with coconut oil, mineral oil, or placebo did not significantly impact neurobehavioral development in term or preterm infants.
Introduction:
Oil massage for newborns is reported to improve weight gain by better thermoregulation. A role for transcutaneous absorption has also been suggested.
Aims And Objectives:
This study was undertaken to compare the effect of massage with coconut oil versus mineral oil and placebo (powder) on growth velocity and neuro-behavior in well term and preterm babies.
Study Design:
Open Randomized Controlled trial.
Setting:
The Premature unit and the postnatal wards of a major teaching hospital in a metropolitan city.
Material And Methods:
Intramural preterm appropriate for gestational age babies weighing between 1500 to 2000 grams and term births weighing more than 2500 grams fulfilling the inclusion criteria constituted the two gestation age categories studied. Babies in each group were randomized to receive massage with either coconut oil, mineral oil or with placebo. Oil massage was given by a trained person from day 2 of life till discharge, and thereafter by the mother until 31 days of age, four times a day. Babies were followed up daily till discharge and every week after discharge for anthropometry. Neuro-behavioral outcome was assessed by the Brazelton Score at baseline, day 7 and on day 31.
Results:
Coconut oil massage resulted in significantly greater weight gain velocity as compared to mineral oil and placebo in the preterm babies group; and in the term baby group, as compared to the placebo. Preterm infants receiving coconut oil massage also showed a greater length gain velocity compared to placebo group. No statistically significant difference was observed in the neurobehavioral assessment between all three subgroups in term babies as well as in preterm babies.
