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

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.