%0 Journal Article
%T The Effect of Abdominal Massage on Bilirubin Levels in Term Infants Receiving Phototherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
%A Köse S
%A Gözen D
%A Karadağ Aytemiz ÖE
%A Çağlayan S
%J Adv Neonatal Care
%V 24
%N 3
%D 2024 Jun 1
%M 38815281
%F 1.874
%R 10.1097/ANC.0000000000001149
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>The incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Europe and the United States is estimated to be 3.2 and 4.4 per 10,000 live births, respectively. Abdominal massage for hyperbilirubinemia is considered a safe complementary treatment for infants that may increase number of defecations and decrease bilirubin levels.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of abdominal massage on bilirubin levels in term infants receiving phototherapy.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The sample consisted of 43 term newborns (intervention group: 23; control group: 20) who received phototherapy in a university hospital between June 2019 and February 2021. Information and observation forms were used for data collection. The intervention group received 6 abdominal massages over 2 days, performed 3 times a day, 6 hours apart, and lasting 5 minutes each.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Transcutaneous bilirubin levels and heart rate were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group at 48 hours (P = .015 and P = .033, respectively). Number of defecations was higher in the intervention group at 24 hours (P = .007) but there was no significant difference at 48 hours. The decrease in serum bilirubin between 24 and 48 hours was significantly greater in the intervention group (P = .005).<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Abdominal massage was effective in reducing bilirubin levels and may increase the number of defecations. Providing massage training to the parents of infants who are discharged early could be a protective approach to prevent the rise in bilirubin levels.