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Comparison of Coconut and Sunflower Seed Oils in Improving the Skin Integrity and Weight Gain of Infants in the Neonatal ICU.

  • 2024-11
  • Advances in skin & wound care 37(11&12)
    • Öznur Tiryaki
    • Hamide Zengin
    • Nursan Çınar
    • Meltem Karabay
    • İbrahim Caner
    • Ertuğrul Güçlü

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
66 preterm neonates (34-37 weeks' gestation)
Methods
Randomized controlled trial, three groups (sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, control), weights and skin condition measured at admission, discharge, and 1 month postdischarge
Funding
Unclear

Objective

To determine the effects of sunflower seed oil and coconut oil on the skin integrity and weight gain of preterm infants in the neonatal ICU.

Methods

In this randomized controlled trial, 66 preterm neonates (34-37 weeks' gestation) in the neonatal ICU of a training and research hospital were equally divided into three groups: sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, and control. The weights of neonates in all three groups were measured at admission to the neonatal ICU, at discharge, and at 1 month postdischarge. Their skin conditions were evaluated using the Neonatal Skin Condition Score and the Revised Northampton Neonatal Skin Assessment Tool at the same three time points.

Results

At 1 month postdischarge, neonates in the sunflower seed oil and coconut oil groups weighed significantly more than those in the control group (P = .004). Mean Neonatal Skin Condition Score scores were significantly higher in the control group at 1 month postdischarge than in the sunflower seed oil and coconut oil groups (P = .000).

Conclusions

Skin care with coconut oil and sunflower seed oil was effective in maintaining the skin integrity and weight of neonates at 1 month postdischarge. The authors recommend that randomized controlled trials on skin care in preterm infants using sunflower, coconut, and other oils be conducted with larger sample sizes.

Research Insights

  • Coconut→Improved Skin Condition Score

    Mean Neonatal Skin Condition Score scores were significantly higher in the control group at 1 month postdischarge than in the sunflower seed oil and coconut oil groups (P = .000).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    topical application (not specified further)
  • Coconut→Increased Weight

    At 1 month postdischarge, neonates in the sunflower seed oil and coconut oil groups weighed significantly more than those in the control group (P = .004).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    topical application (not specified further)
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