The Effect of Stimulating Massage in Decreasing Neonates' Bilirubin Level at Dr. Moewardi Hospital Surakarta

Abstract

Bilirubin is one indicator of the health examined from the function of organs, especially the liver function of neonates. Increased bilirubin physiologically occurs in neonates aged 3-10 days in which the level is less than 10 mg/dl. As a matter of fact, increased bilirubin exceeds physiological limitations as it will cause bilirubin encephalopathy as well as fatality. One of the stimulations can be used to reduce bilirubin level is by performing stimulating massage with the field method massage. This study was carried out to find out the amount of decreased bilirubin levels as influenced by stimulating massage. The study was aimed to determine the effect of stimulating massage in decreasing the bilirubin levels in neonates. This study was a qualitative design with pre and post test. In addition, control group design was applied with the sample of one experiment group in which the treatment of stimulating massage with 15 minutes duration by using the field method. Samples qualified were those with bilirubin levels above 10 mg/dl and had been recorded in the patients’ medical records. Data analysis was made in the form of data description in which the number of total bilirubin levels was measured by using laboratory results and presented in graphical form to be measured in the beginning and the end of the study for each sample. There was an effect of stimulating massage which was indicated by decreased bilirubin level at 4.8 mg/dl in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia after the treatment. Stimulating massage is effective in decreasing the bilirubin levels in neonates.