Comparative baseline data for infants who were followed-up, by randomised group
| High target (n=130) | Control (n=135) | p Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gestational age (weeks)* | 25 5/7±1 2/7 | 25 5/7±1 2/7 | 0.59 |
| Birth weight (g)* | 724±156 | 719±153 | 0.80 |
| Male | 71 (55) | 74 (55) | 0.97 |
| Antenatal steroids (any) | 116 (89) | 117 (87) | 0.52 |
| PPROM>24 hours | 30 (23) | 24 (18) | 0.28 |
| 5 min Apgar score† | 8 (2–10) | 7 (1–10) | 0.28 |
| Intubation age ≥1 hour | 47 (36) | 45 (33) | 0.63 |
| Surfactant replacement | 124 (95) | 130 (96) | 0.71 |
| Methylxanthine therapy | 126 (97) | 130 (96) | 0.78 |
| Moderate/severe BPD† | 33 (25) | 27 (20) | 0.30 |
| O2 or positive pressure for ≥28 days | 123 (95) | 127 (94) | 0.85 |
| BPD (consensus definition) mild | 90 (69) | 100 (74) | 0.07 |
| BPD (consensus definition) moderate | 14 (11) | 20 (15) | |
| BPD (consensus definition) severe | 19 (15) | 7 (5) | |
| IVH all grades | 38 (29) | 43 (32) | 0.64 |
| Severe IVH (grade 3–4) | 16 (12) | 16 (12) | 0.91 |
| Periventricular leukomalacia | 14 (11) | 10 (7) | 0.34 |
| Hydrocephalus internus | 18 (14) | 23 (18) | 0.49 |
| Hydrocephalus internus with shunt | 6 (5) | 7 (5) | 0.83 |
| Postnatal dexamethasone treatment | 21 (16) | 23 (17) | 0.85 |
| Postnatal hydrocortisone treatment | 25 (19) | 32 (24) | 0.38 |
| Retinopathy of prematurity | 66 (51) | 63 (47) | 0.50 |
| Severe retinopathy ≥grade 3 | 16 (12) | 20 (15) | 0.55 |
| Necrotising enterocolitis ≥2 | 14 (11) | 5 (4) | 0.03 |
| Weight at 36 weeks PMA (g)‡ | 1935 (1200–2700) | 1985 (1000–2830) | 0.78 |
Unless otherwise specified, data are given as: number of infants (%), χ2 test.
*Mean±SD, Student's t-test.
†BPD according to the trial definition, corresponding to moderate or severe BPD according to the consensus definition.32
‡Median (minimum–maximum), Mann-Whitney U-test.
BPD, bronchopulmonary dysplasia; IVH, intraventricular haemorrhage; PMA, postmenstrual age; PPROM, preterm premature rupture of the membranes.