Comparison of Two Massage Techniques, Field and Vimala, on Reduction of Physiologic Jaundice in Term Infants: A Single –Blind Clinical Trial.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction & Aim: Severe Jaundice is the most common reason for hospital readmission of newborns. In most newborns, total serum bilirubin levels peak between the second to fourth days of life. Early discharge from the hospital of infants less than 48 hours of age, without appropriate and timely follow up, has significantly increased the numbers of newborn re –admissions for management of hyperbilirubinemia. In the other way, studies has demonstrated that the massage of newborn in the first days after birth facilitates passage of first meconium and diminish the length of its passing and lead to reduce the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia. However a unique protocol has not recommended for the massage technique. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of massage on neonatal jaundice at term infants and to compare the effect of two massage techniques, Field and Vimala, on reducing of physiological jaundice. Material & Methods: This single blind clinical trial performed at Tabriz Al Zahra hospital on 65 healthy full –term infants. The participants randomly assigned to control (n=25), Vimala massage (n=18) and field massage (n=22) groups. The infants in control group received routine care and the infants in Vimala and field massage groups, in spite of routine care massaged using Vimala and field technique, respectively. Massage conducted for 4 days, 3 time per day. TCB level and stool frequency measured daily for all infants. Results: The stool frequency in second and fourth days in Vimala group were higher than other groups which its differences was statistically significant (p<0.05). The Mean time of passage of first meconium for field massage group was (7.31± 3.75) and for Vimala group was (7.27 ±3.36) hours. There was statistically significant difference between intervention groups and control group for the numbers of passing of first meconium (p=0.038). Difference of the median of TCB between massage and control groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Considering increase of stool frequency after fourth day in Vimala massage group, it's likely that if measuring of bilirubin had been continuing after 4 days, it was possible that reducing of bilirubin also detect.