Introduction

Low birth weight (LBW) is a major health problem and a significant contributor to neonatal deaths in both industrialized and developing nations.¹ According to WHO every year about 20 million LBW baby born, 96% of them are in developing countries. LBW is common problem in our country with an incidence of 30-40% (term small for gestational age 20-30% and preterm 10-20%).²

The period of intrauterine growth and development is one of the most vulnerable periods in the human life cycle³. Any deficiency occurring during this period leads to poor growth and development of the newborn. Newborn infants require efficient and cost effective care to compensate for possible shortage of intrauterine development.⁴

Massage is one of the oldest therapeutic techniques in the world which has been used as a routine part of infant care in many cultures.⁵ Infant massage could potentially benefit both physiological and psychological health of the baby.⁶ One of the important effects of massage is promotion of optimal infant growth and development.⁶ The mechanism of massage therapy affecting the weight gain is not yet known. Theories proposed to explain the positive effects of massage on weight gain in preterm and full term infants include hormone growth, vagal tone and gastric motility, in addition to improved circulation of blood and lymph fluids; however, need for further research has been suggested to confirm these mechanisms.⁷ Coconut oil is composed entirely of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are a source of highly efficient cellular food. When coconut oil is applied topically, the cells absorb the MCFAs converting them into energy thus promoting weight gain⁸ and so can be used for nutritional purpose and faster weight gain in LBW infants.⁹

Effects of massaging on the growth of low birth weight infants with or without oils remain unresolved. Oil can act as heat and nutrition source, but the effect of oil individually upon the growth of low birth weight infants is not yet clear.¹⁰ Using oil during massaging makes the massage frictionless, the skin soft causing reduction in the skin dryness.¹¹

The present study thus aims to explore if coconut oil massaging can have a positive impact on the weight gain status of low birth weight infants.

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Dr Adil A. Raheman Akbani

MBBS (Intern), RCSM Government Medical College, Kolhapur