title: Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil or no Oil for Baby Dry Skin or Massage: A Pilot, Assessor-blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial (the Oil in Baby SkincaRE [OBSeRvE] Study).
abstract: Topical oils on baby skin may contribute to development of childhood atopic eczema. A pilot, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial assessed feasibility of a definitive trial investigating their impact in neonates. One-hundred and fifteen healthy, full-term neonates were randomly assigned to olive oil, sunflower oil or no oil, twice daily for 4 weeks, stratified by family history of atopic eczema. We measured spectral profile of lipid lamellae, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration and pH and recorded clinical observations, at baseline, and 4 weeks post-birth. Recruitment was challenging (recruitment 11.1%; retention 80%), protocol adherence reasonable (79-100%). Both oil groups had significantly improved hydration but significantly less improvement in lipid lamellae structure compared to the no oil group. There were no significant differences in TEWL, pH or erythema/skin scores. The study was not powered for clinical significance, but until further research is conducted, caution should be exercised when recommending oils for neonatal skin.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester, M13 9PL Manchester, United Kingdom. Alison.Cooke@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cork
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Victor
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Danby
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chittock
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lavender
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004739:England; D004890:Erythema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008405:Massage; D055118:Medication Adherence; D000069463:Olive Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000074242:Sunflower Oil; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible
chemical_list: D004643:Emollients; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D000074242:Sunflower Oil