Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. This meta-analysis aims to systematically evaluate the effects of massage on infants with jaundice. Data were analysed by Rev Man 5. A total of 14 randomised controlled trials with patients were included. Massage can decrease serum total bilirubin and percutaneous bilirubin levels and increasing defecation frequency. However, due to heterogeneity among studies, numerous multi-centre, large-sample and high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed to verify the effects of massage.
Neonatal jaundice is a phenomenon of yellow-dyed skin, sclera and other organs in the neonatal period caused by blood bilirubin accumulation, which is a relatively prevalent disease in neonates. The cause of neonatal jaundice is complex. Neonatal jaundice can be divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Pathological jaundice can lead to severe bilirubin encephalopathy.
Some children can develop neurological sequelae including cerebral palsy, hearing loss and kernicterus [ 4 ] and even die. In addition, a previous study showed that hyperbilirubinemia is the main cause of neonatal re-admission [ 5 ]. Neonatal jaundice also increases the risk of suffering from type 1 diabetes in childhood [ 6 ].
At present, the treatment and nursing measures of neonatal jaundice mainly include phototherapy, infusion of plasma or albumin and liver protection. In recent years, numerous methods, including herbal oral administration [ 7 ], external application of traditional Chinese medicine [ 8 ], Chinese massage [ 9 ], acupuncture, massage and swimming [ 10 ], have been used by researchers to treat and care for neonates with jaundice.
Massage is regarded as a new care method for neonates with a positive effect on neonatal disease treatment and health care. Massage on newborns offer numerous advantages. Massage can not only promote physical and intellectual development, immunity, digestion and absorption and emotional communication between mothers and children but also treat several neonatal diseases, such as hypoxicβischemic encephalopathy, jaundice and bilirubin encephalopathy [ 11 ].
