OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of massage on weight gain and body fat deposition in preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Preterm infants (29 to 32 weeks) were randomized to the massage group (n = 22, 12 girls, 10 boys) or the control group (n = 22, 12 girls, 10 boys). Treatment was masked with massage or control care administered twice-daily by licensed massage therapists (6 d/wk for 4 weeks). Body weight, length, Ponderal Index (PI), body circumferences, and skinfold thickness (triceps, mid-thigh, and subscapular (SSF)) were measured. Circulating insulin-like growth factor I, leptin, and adiponectin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Daily dietary intake was collected. RESULTS: Energy and protein intake as well as increase in weight, length, and body circumferences were similar. Male infants in the massage group had smaller PI, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-thigh skinfold thickness, and SSF and increases over time compared with control male infants (p < 0.05). Female infants in the massage group had larger SSF increases than control female infants (p < 0.05). Circulating adiponectin increased over time in control group male infants (group x time x sex interaction, p < 0.01) and was correlated to PI (r = 0.39, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Twice-daily massage did not promote greater weight gain in preterm infants. Massage did, however, limit body fat deposition in male preterm infants. Massage decreased circulating adiponectin over time in male infants with higher adiponectin concentrations associated with increased body fat. These findings suggest that massage may improve body fat deposition and, in turn, growth quality of preterm infants in a sex-specific manner.

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