Results of the trials
| Outcome | No of studies | Indomethacin | Control | Relative risk | Risk difference | NNT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *In survivors examined. | ||||||
| †Either Bayley mental developmental index (MDI <68 or Wecshler preschool and primary scale of intelligence–revised (WPPSI-R) <70) | ||||||
| ‡Number needed to harm. | ||||||
| NNT, Number needed to treat (calculated where significant result obtained); IVH, intraventricular haemorrhage; PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; BPD, bronchopulmonary dysplasia. | ||||||
| Death at latest follow up | 18 | 231/1372 | 245/1397 | 0.96 (0.81 to 1.12) | −0.01 (−0.04 to 0.02) | |
| All IVH | 14 | 422/1258 | 482/1274 | 0.88 (0.80 to 0.96) | −0.04 (−0.08 to −0.01) | 25 |
| Severe IVH | 14 | 115/1285 | 177/1303 | 0.66 (0.53 to 0.82) | −0.05 (−0.07 to −0.02) | 20 |
| Symptomatic PDA | 14 | 204/1093 | 471/1100 | 0.44 (0.38 to 0.50) | −0.24 (−0.28 to −0.21) | 4 |
| PDA ligation | 8 | 49/891 | 97/900 | 0.51 (0.37 to 0.71) | −0.05 (−0.08 to −0.03) | 20 |
| Pulmonary haemorrhage | 4 | 104/795 | 123/796 | 0.84 (0.66 to 1.06) | −0.02 (−0.06 to 0.01) | |
| BPD (in oxygen at 28 days) | 9 | 188/500 | 183/522 | 1.08 (0.92 to 1.26) | 0.03 (−0.03 to 0.08) | |
| Necrotising enterocolitis | 12 | 84/1187 | 77/1214 | 1.09 (0.82 to 1.46) | 0.01 (−0.01 to 0.03) | |
| Gastrointestinal perforation | 1 | 36/601 | 32/601 | 1.12 (0.71 to 1.79) | 0.01 (−0.02 to 0.03) | |
| Diminished urine output | 8 | 131/1045 | 70/1070 | 1.90 (1.45 to 2.47) | 0.06 (0.04 to 0.08) | 16‡ |
| Raised creatinine | 4 | 10/298 | 10/320 | 1.09 (0.47 to 2.51) | 0.00 (−0.03 to 0.03) | |
| Excessive bleeding | 5 | 16/880 | 23/896 | 0.74 (0.40 to 1.38) | −0.01 (−0.02 to 0.01) | |
| Severe developmental delay*† | 3 | 143/641 | 151/645 | 0.96 (0.79 to 1.17) | −0.01 (−0.05 to 0.04) | |
| Cerebral palsy* | 4 | 78/678 | 77/694 | 1.04 (0.77 to 1.40) | 0.00 (−0.03 to 0.04) | |
| Blindness* | 2 | 10/635 | 8/639 | 1.26 (0.50 to 3.18) | 0.00 (−0.01 to 0.02) | |
| Deafness* | 2 | 11/626 | 11/633 | 1.02 (0.45 to 2.33) | 0.00 (−0.01 to 0.01) | |
| Severe neurosensory impairment* | 3 | 164/682 | 173/706 | 0.98 (0.81 to 1.18) | 0.00 (−0.05 to 0.04) | |
| Death or severe neurosensory impairment* | 3 | 304/743 | 299/748 | 1.02 (0.90 to 1.15) | 0.01 (−0.04 to 0.06) | |