Table 4

Effect of orotracheal intubation on Palatal Index (mean (SEM))

Duration of intubation		Postmenstrual age (weeks)
Duration of intubation		28	32	36	40	53	66	92
None
Palatal index	0.27 n=3	0.29 n=23	0.29 n=23	0.30 n=23	0.29 n=18	0.29 n=19	0.28 n=19
1–9 days
Palatal index	0.31 n=13	0.28 n=15	0.27 n=10	0.27 n=9	0.31 n=7	0.27 n=6	0.28 n=7
⩾10 days
Palatal index	0.29 n=3	0.37 n=3	0.35 n=3	0.28 n=2	0.37 n=1	0.26 n=2	0.25 n=1