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

Transcutaneous feeding is suggested for very low birth weight infants. This study evaluates the effect of massage with coconut oil on weight gaining in preterm newborns. This quasi-experimental study was conducted from Aug 2007 to Mar 2008 in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Seventy three newborns were randomly assigned to three groups. Weight of newborns was measured daily during the study in three groups: A (massage with coconut oil), B (massage only), C (control group) by a nurse who was blind to the study. There was a significant difference between three groups in weight gaining after intervention. The results of Tukey test indicated that difference between groups A and B, A and C was significant but there was not a significant difference between group B and C. Massage with coconut oil had a positive effect on weight gaining in preterm newborns.