Baseline characteristics and major morbidity at discharge of preterm babies treated or not with dexamethasone
| Treatment group (n=15) | Control group (n=15) | |
|---|---|---|
| *p < 0.05 compared with control group. | ||
| Mean gestation (SD) in weeks | 27.5 (1.4) | 27.1 (1.4) |
| Mean birth weight (SD) in g | 850 (183) | 948 (239) |
| Male (%) | 8 (53.3) | 8 (53.3) |
| Antenatal steroids (%) | 7 (46.7) | 6 (40) |
| Hyaline membrane disease (%) | 12 (80) | 12 (80) |
| Patent ductus arteriosus (%) | 11 (73.3) | 13 (86.7) |
| Septicaemia (%) | 6 (40) | 6 (40) |
| Necrotising enterocolitis (%) | 2 (13.3) | 1 (6.7) |
| Intraventricular haemorrhage > grade 2 (%) | 2 (13.3) | 3 (20) |
| Periventricular leucomalacia | 1 (6.7) | 0 |
| Chronic lung disease at 28 days (%) | 10 (66.7)* | 15 (100) |
| Oxygen at 36 weeks (%) | 5 (33.3)* | 11 (73.3) |