THE EFFECT OF TOUCH STIMULATION ON WEIGHT GAIN IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (LBW) INFANTS

Lili Rohmawati; Syamsidah Lubis

Volume : VIII, Issue : II, February - 2019

THE EFFECT OF TOUCH STIMULATION ON WEIGHT GAIN IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (LBW) INFANTS

Lili Rohmawati, Syamsidah Lubis

Abstract :

Background : Low birth weight (LBW) infants are vulnerable to various complications. Touch stimulation is an alternative care for LBW infants. Several studies concluded that touch stimulation promote weight gain of LBW infants. However, there are only few hospitals implement it. Objective : To assess the effect of touch stimulation on weight gain, length gain, enteral intake and responds in LBW infants. Methods : This was an experimental study, with pre and post test design, composed of two groups, intervention and control. Subjects were LBW infants admitted in H. Adam Malik hospital and several hospitals at Medan, from April to September 2018. Subjects were collected with consecutive sampling technique. Univariate and bivariate (t-test) analysis were performed with 95% CI and P value <0,005 were considered statistically significant. Results : Subjects were 30 LBW infants, divided equally into two groups, intervention and control. There were differences on weight [mean diff. 87,6 (SD 49); P<0,001], length [mean diff. 0,5 (SD 0,2); P<0,001] and respiratory rate [mean diff. 2,5 (SD 3,7); P=0,021] after the administration of touch stimulation. There was no difference in enteral intake. There were differences on mean weight gain (87,6 g and 34 g; P=0,003) and length gain (0,5 cm and 0,3 cm; P=0,027) between intervention and control group, respectively. Conclusion : There is significant weight gain after the administration of touch stimulation. There is significant difference on weight gain and length gain between LBW infants who receive and do not receive touch stimulation.