Effect of topical olive oil therapy on preterm’s in neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract EN

This study consisted of 51 preterm neonates that fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

Olive oil was applied twice daily for 14 days to neonates in the study group (n = 26) while the control group neonates (n = 25) received no topical olive oil therapy.

Data collection included physiological parameters, as well as anthropometric measurements.

Evidence of sepsis, whether clinical or laboratory (blood and skin culture), was examined, skin condition was evaluated, and serum triglyceride levels were measured.

The results showed a significant effect of the topical application of olive oil on the regulation of body temperature for the neonates in the study group.

In addition, better skin condition and increments in the anthropometric parameters were observed for the neonates in the study group compared with neonates in the control group.

The incidence of septicemia was 3.8% in the study group as opposed to 8% in the control group neonates.

Also, serum triglyceride levels for neonates in the study group were higher than those in the control group.

This study indicates a need for similar clinical trials with an increased number of subjects to be performed over a longer period to reach significant neonatal outcomes.