Investigation of the effect of massage on bilirubin level in preterm infants

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of massage on bilirubin levels in premature infants. Methods: The sample group consisted of 64 premature infants who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit between November 2018 and April 2019 (massage group: 32; control group: 32). Data were collected using the "Data Collection Form" and the transcutaneous bilirubin meter. Daily transcutaneous bilirubin values of the babies in both groups were measured for 5 days, daily defecation number, daily body weight and vital signs (SPO2, pulse rate, respiration rate) and duration of hospitalization were recorded. The babies in the massage group were given a baby massage for 5 days twice a day for 10-15 minutes. Number, percent, mean, standard deviation, Skewness, Kurtosis, Yates corrected chi-square test, Fisher exact test, t test in independent groups, t test in dependent groups, Wilcoxon Signed rank test, Mann Whitney U test were used in the evaluation of the data. Results: The daily TcB level of premature babies in the massage group was found to be significantly lower on the third, fourth and fifth days compared to the control group (p <.001). The daily defecation rate of the babies in the massage group was significantly higher on the second, third, fourth and fifth days compared to the control group (p <.001). The mean age of the babies in the massage group was lower than the control group and the difference was statistically significant (p <.001). In babies in the massage group, SPO2 average was significantly higher and pulse rate and respiratory rate were significantly lower in all days between 1-5 days (p <.001). There was no significant difference between the mean body weight at birth and in the first five days of the babies in the massage and control groups (p> .05). Conclusion: Infant massage is an effective method to increase the frequency of defecation and decrease bilirubin levels of premature babies. It is recommended that baby massage can be used as an alternative and complementary treatment to prevent the increase of bilirubin levels in premature infants and can reduce the need for therapeutic treatment of jaundice (pharmacological treatment, phototherapy and blood transfusion). Keywords; neonatal jaundice; baby massage; transcutaneous bilirubin level; premature baby.