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Emollient Therapy in Preterm & Low Birth Weight Neonates: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Abdul Ahad Jamshaid1, Muhammad Haroon Hamid1, Tehreem Fatima1
1Department of Paediatric Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Insights
Emollient therapy significantly improves weight and length gain in preterm and low birth weight infants. Sunflower oil massage is an effective intervention for enhancing neonatal growth.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatrics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Preterm and low birth weight neonates face challenges in growth and development.
- Early interventions are crucial for improving outcomes in vulnerable infants.
- Emollient therapy is a potential non-pharmacological approach to support neonatal growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of emollient therapy on weight and length gain in preterm and low birth weight neonates.
- To compare the efficacy of massage with emollient versus massage alone.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 140 neonates.
- Infants were divided into two groups: one receiving massage with sunflower oil (emollient group) and the other receiving massage without emollient.
- Weight and length were measured at two months of age.
Main Results:
- The emollient therapy group showed a significantly greater mean increase in weight (489.84 ± 297.48g) compared to the control group (373.43 ± 276.31g; p=0.018).
- Mean length increase was significantly higher in the emollient group (6.5 ± 1.1 cm) versus the control group (4.8 ± 1.3 cm; p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Massage with emollient therapy significantly enhances weight and length gain in preterm and low birth weight neonates.
- Emollient therapy is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for promoting neonatal growth.
Objective:
To assess the impact of emollient therapy on gain in weight and length among preterm and low birth weight babies.
Study Design:
Randomised controlled trial.
Place And Duration Of Study:
Department of Pediatric Medicine, KEMU / Mayo Hospital Lahore, from January till June 2018.
Methodology:
Infants with birth weight between 1.5 and 2.5 Kgs or preterm neonates born between 28 and 37 completed weeks of gestation were included in the study. Neonates with genetic syndrome, infection or with a history of admission in NICU due to any reason, were excluded. They were randomly divided into two groups-A and B, by lottery method. Mothers of the neonates in group A were advised massage with sunflower oil; while mothers of the neonates in group B were advised massage without any emollient. Babies were closely followed up and their weight and length were measured at two months of age and were analysed using SPSS version 23.0.
Results:
For 140 neonates, the mean increase in weight was 489.84 ± 297.48 grams among group-A neonates (emollient therapy group) and it was 373.43 ± 276.31 grams among group-B neonates (p = 0.018). The mean increase in length was 6.5 ± 1.1 cm, among group-A neonates and 4.8 ± 1.3 cm in group-B neonates (p ˂0.001). Conclusion: Massage with emollient therapy leads to significantly more increase in weight and length compared to massage alone, among preterm and low birth weight neonates. Emollient therapy is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for increasing weight and length in low birth weight and preterm neonates. Key Words: Emollient, Massage, Low birth weight, Preterm neonates, Weight, Length.
