Emollient therapy in preterm & low birth weight neonates: A randomised clinical trial

Abstract

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.