The Effect of Oil Massage on Serum Bilirubin Levels in Full Term Neonates with Hyperbilirubinemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

aundice is one of the most common and annoying problems that occur in the newborn. Jaundice is observed during the first week of life in approximately 60% of term neonates and 80% of preterm neonates. Phototherapy is now the preferred method for treatment of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia because of being non-invasive, convenient, reliable to use and inexpensive. It was reported that baby massage can stimulate parasympathetic and vagal activity resulting in increased intestinal movements and decreased enterohepatic circulation.It is suggested that baby massage would promote early stage defecation of neonates, which may accelerate bilirubin excretion with the possibility of reducing neonatal jaundice. This randomized controlled study was conducted on 50 full-term neonates. They were divided into a massage group which included 25 full-term infants treated with phototherapy and massage, and a control group which included also 25 full-term infants treated with phototherapy alone. Inclusion criteria were: healthy full-term infants with a gestational age 37-41 weeks and a birth weight 2.5-4 kg with hyperbilirubinemia necessitating phototherapy according to (AAP, 2004)and showed no contraindications t