• Jyoti Arora, Ajay Kumar, and Siddharth Ramji.
• Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi 110 002, India.
• Indian Pediatr. 2005 Nov 1; 42 (11): 1092-100.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of oil massage on growth and neurobehavior in preterm babies less than 1500 g.DesignRandomized Controlled Trial.SettingTertiary level neonatal unit of a teaching hospital.SubjectsNeonates with birth weight <1500 grams, gestation >37 weeks, receiving enteral feeds of at least 100 mL/kg/day and less than 10 days of age.Outcome VariablesPrimary-Weight gain 28 days after enrolment. Secondary-Neonatal neurobehavior, change in other anthropometry and serum triglycerides.MethodsEligible neonates were randomized to one of the three groups (a) massage with oil (b) massage without oil and (c) no massage. Weight, length, head circumference and triceps skin fold thickness were measured in the three groups at regular intervals. Serum triglyceride levels were measured at enrolment and at completion. Neurobehavior using Brazeltons Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (NBAS) was assessed at enrolment and after 10 days of intervention.ResultsWeight gain in the oil massage group (365.8 +/- 165.2g) was higher compared to the only massage group (290.0 +/- 150.2g) and no massage group (285.0 +/- 170.4g). This difference and the difference in other anthropometric parameters was not statistically significant. Serum triglycerides and neonatal neurobehavior were comparable in the three groups.ConclusionOil application may have a potential to improve weight gain among preterm very low birth weight neonates.

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