Sunflower oil versus no oil moderate pressure massage leads to greater increases in weight in preterm neonates who are low birth weight.

Background: Growth velocity is one of the most important problems in low birth weight (LBW) neonates.
Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of body massage with and without sunflower oil on the growth of LBW preterm neonates in Iran.
Study Design: A single-blinded randomized clinical trial
Subjects: This study examined neonates admitted to NICU with gestational age of 33-37 weeks and birth weight of 1500-1999 g, without birth asphyxia and medically stable
Outcome Measures: Neonates were randomly assigned to two groups to receive moderate pressure massage alone or the same massage with sunflower oil by their mothers, three times a day for 14 consecutive days. The primary variables were increases in mean of growth parameters (weight, height and head circumference) that were evaluated 14 days after intervention, at ages 1 and 2 months. Secondary variables were clinical side effects.
Results: Fifty-four neonates including 25 girls and 29 boys with mean gestational age of 35.3 ± 1.26 weeks were evaluated. Means of gestational age, birth weight and length of NICU stay were not different in both groups. In the oil massage group, mean weight at ages 1 month (mean ± SD: 2339 ± 135 vs. 2201 ± 93 g, P = 0.04) and 2 months (mean ± SD: 3301 ± 237 vs. 3005 ± 305 g, P = 0.005) was significantly greater than that of the body massage group. No adverse events were seen in the two groups.
Conclusion: Sunflower oil massage might be used as an effective and safe intervention for weight gain in LBW preterm neonates.
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