Basic and clinical data for healthy and sick infants
| Variable | Healthy infants (n = 113) | Sick infants (n = 49) |
|---|---|---|
| Values are median (interquartile range) or number (percentage). | ||
| *p < 0.0001 compared with healthy infants. | ||
| Gestation (weeks) | 38 (35–39) | 29 (27–31) |
| Birth weight (g) | 2990 (2380–3560) | 1130 (910–1930) |
| Male | 64 (57%) | 33 (67%) |
| Age at time of sampling (hours) | 68 (40–96) | 26 (20–43) |
| Apgar at 5 minutes | 10 (9–10) | 8 (7–9) |
| Cord pH | 7.33 (7.29–7.36) | 7.33 (7.24–7.37) |
| Cord base excess | −3.4 (−5.9 to –1.1) | −3.0 (−6.5 to −1.6) |
| Delivered by caesarean section | 58 (51%) | 20 (41%) |
| Normal intrapartum cardiotocograph | 85 (75%) | 31 (63%) |
| Admitted to neonatal unit | 20 (18%) | 49 (100%) |
| Total duration of respiratory support (days) | None | 5 (2–32) |
| Number ventilated | None | 44 (90%) |
| Total duration of ventilation (days) | None | 3 (1–7) |
| Use of inotropes | None | 22 (45%) |
| Oxygen requirement at 28 days of age | None | 23 (47%) |
| Died | None | 11 (22%) |
| Cardiac troponin T concentration (ng/ml) | 0.025 (0.010–0.062) | 0.159 (0.075–0.308)* |