Topically applied sunflower seed oil prevents invasive bacterial infections in preterm infants in Egypt: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Because the therapeutic options for managing infections in neonates in developing countries are often limited, innovative approaches to preventing infections are needed. Topical therapy with skin barrier-enhancing products may be an effective strategy for improving neonatal outcomes, particularly among preterm, low birth weight infants whose skin barrier is temporarily but critically compromised as a result of immaturity.


METHODS
We tested the impact of topical application of sunflower seed oil 3 times daily to preterm infants <34 weeks gestational age at the Kasr El-Aini neonatal intensive care unit at Cairo University on skin condition, rates of nosocomial infections and mortality.


RESULTS
Treatment with sunflower seed oil (n = 51) resulted in a significant improvement in skin condition (P = 0.037) and a highly significant reduction in the incidence of nosocomial infections (adjusted incidence ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.81; P = 0.007) compared with infants not receiving topical prophylaxis (n = 52). There were no reported adverse events as a result of topical therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the low cost (approximately .20 dollars for a course of therapy) and technologic simplicity of the intervention and the effect size observed in this study, a clinical trial with increased numbers of subjects is indicated to evaluate the potential of topical therapy to reduce infections and save newborn lives in developing countries.
Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. gdarmsta@jhsph.edu
Gary L
GL
Darmstadt
Nadia
N
Badrawi
Paul A
PA
Law
Saifuddin
S
Ahmed
Moataza
M
Bashir
Iman
I
Iskander
Dalia
D
Al Said
Amani
A
El Kholy
Mohamed Hassan
MH
Husein
Asif
A
Alam
Peter J
PJ
Winch
Reginald
R
Gipson
Muhammad
M
Santosham
D000287:Administration, Topical; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006368:Helianthus / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D010592:Pharmaceutic Aids; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000074242:Sunflower Oil
D010592:Pharmaceutic Aids; D010938:Plant Oils; D000074242:Sunflower Oil