Transcutaneous Feeding: The Effect of Massage with Coconut Oil on Weight Gain in Preterm Newborns

Background: Transcutaneous feeding has been suggested for infants with very low birth-weight. In this study, we evaluated the effect of massage with coconut oil on weight gain in preterm newborns. Patients and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted from August 2007 to March 2008 in Mashhad Medical University in Mashhad, IR Iran. Seventy-three newborns were randomly assigned to 3 groups: A (massage with coconut oil), B (massage only), and C (control group). The weights of the newborns in all 3 groups were measured daily by a nurse who was blinded to the study. Data were plotted and analyzed using the SPSS 14 graphical software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis test, and paired t test analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of massage with coconut oil on weight gain. Results: There was a significant difference between the weight gain in the 3 groups after the intervention. The results of Tukey test indicated that there was a significant difference between the results in groups A and B and groups A and C, but there was no significant difference between those in groups B and C. Conclusions: Massage with coconut oil has a positive effect on weight gain in preterm newborns.