Perawatan Kulit pada Bayi Preterm dengan Pemberian Minyak Topikal

Abstract

Preterm birth is a baby born at less than 37 weeks. The skin of preterm babies is different from the skin of aterm babies. Preterm babies have thinner skin that is more susceptible to infection, irritation, fluid loss, electrolyte imbalance and trauma. Good skin care is one of the important components in caring for preterm infants. The use of coconut oil as a topical treatment in preterm infants has positive effects. Coconut oil is made of fatty acids that serve to replace lost lipids in the skin barrier. Coconut oil is also antiseptic and antioxidant. In addition to coconut oil, there is also sunflower seed oil. Topical administration of sunflower seed oil to preterm infants has the effect of better skin integrity and lower risk of nosocomial infection. Sunflower seed oil has a linoleic acid component of about 60%. Linoleic acid has been shown to be a necessary fatty acid to maintain the normal barrier function of the epidermis. The composition and fatty acid content of both oils are the main factors that have a positive effect on the skin.