Efficacy of medium-chain triglyceride oil massage on growth in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial: A CONSORT-compliant article

BACKGROUND: Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil consists of 8–12 carbons with higher absorption and provides better calories than long-chain triglyceride oil. This study was to explore the effect of MCT oil massage on growth in preterm infants. METHODS: A prospective, single-blind, randomized (two treatments and one control) study was conducted. Preterm infants weighing between 1500 and 2000 g were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: the MCT oil massage, massage alone and no massage groups. The standardized massage intervention consisted of two 5-min phases, including tactile and kinesthetic stimulation, which were given three times a day for 7 consecutive days. Premature infants in the oil massage group received massage with 10 mL/kg/day of MCT oil divided equally into three applications. Weight, length and head circumference were measured in the three groups at birth and on study days 1 to 7. RESULTS: Forty-eight neonates were evaluated with 16 in each of three groups. The linear mixed effect model was adjusted for other factors, and results showed that weight gain on the 4th day in the oil massage group was greater than that in the no massage group (P < .05). From the 5th to 7th day, weight gain in the oil massage group was greater than that in the other two groups (P < .05). Regarding head circumference and height, this study found that the MCT oil massage group did not have better results than the other two groups. No adverse events were noted in the massage groups. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that preterm infant daily massage with MCT oil is an effective intervention for weight gain that should be recognized as part of low-birth-weight infant developmental care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT04281563, Registered on 24 February 2020.