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2026, Number 2

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Acta Med 2026; 24 (2)

Effect of topical application of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) on weight gain in preterm newborns in a neonatal unit, comparative study

Elizalde AJI, Escamilla LV, Ortiz CRS, Bracho BE, Nuñez PJR, Orozco GA

Language: Spanish
References: 14
Page: 93-97
PDF size: 251.73 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Weight Gain (WG) is a critical component in the development of any premature infant; integrating neonatal care measures that promote weight gain is essential. It has been observed that the topical application of oils has positive effects on weight gain. Our objective was to determine the impact that the application of MCT has on the weight of premature newborns; a descriptive and comparative analysis was carried out between the weight of premature newborns between 28-34 weeks of gestation at birth, to whom MCT was applied topically and those who did not receive it; patients hospitalized for at least 14 days in the neonatal intensive care unit were included, who were not seriously ill, without skin malformations and whose medical record included all the necessary information. Data were collected from 65 patients, of which 40% received MCT topically; the median gestational age was 31.4 WG vs 32.4 WG in the group that did not receive MCT, this difference being significant. We found that there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in relation to weight gain; both groups decreased their weight percentile (p < 0.001), although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups.


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