Fathia Zaky Mohamed^1,, Eman Saied Ahmed¹

Preterm neonates have an increased susceptibility to feeding intolerance which is one of the most significant contributors to their growth failure. Establishing and tolerating adequate enteral nutrition is difficult due to the immaturity of the gastrointestinal system; therefore it is crucial for neonatology nurses to detected this condition as early as possible and use intervention for tackling this problem to improve newborn outcome. Massage is one therapeutic nursing method that can stimulate the parasympathetic activity and induce a more effective response of the digestive system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of abdominal massage on feeding intolerance of preterm neonates. A quasi- experimental research design was utilized to meet the aim of this study. Setting This study was conducted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Assiut University Children Hospital. Sampling: The study sample comprised all preterm neonates (60 preterm neonates) hospitalized during six months period in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Assiut University Children Hospital. Three tools were used to collect the required data for this study: - Tool1- An interviewing questionnaire sheet, Tool II - Follow -up sheet and Tool III - Feeding intolerance assessment tool. Results: Highly statistically significant differences were found between the first day and 5^th day related to feeding intolerance measurements parameters of the massage group (P=0.001) and the means of the abdominal circumference, the frequency of vomiting episodes, and the gastric residual volume in the massage group had decreased significantly in the 5^th day of the intervention of abdominal massage, as compared with those in the first day and the frequency of defecation and daily weight gain had increased significantly. Concluded that abdominal massage has the potential effect to decrease the gastric residual volume, frequency of vomiting episodes, abdominal distension, and increase the weight and frequency of defecation in enterally fed preterm neonates. The study recommended changing the nursing practice in NICU nurses by emphasizing the importance of applying abdominal massage twice a day as a safe non-invasive intervention as standard of care in enterally fed preterm neonates'.

preterm infants, abdominal massage, feeding intolerance