Demographic details
| Conventional n=193 | Trigger n=193 | |
| Male (%) | 112 (58) | 117 (61) |
| Randomisation groups | ||
| 1000–1499 g (% male) | 131 (52) | 123 (59) |
| 1500–1999 g (% male) | 62 (69) | 70 (64) |
| Gestation weeks (range) | 29 (25–34) | 29 (25–36) |
| Birthweight g (range) | 1320 (1006–1996) | 1336 (1000–1997) |
| Antenatal steroids (%) | 152/176 (86) | 141/169 (83) |
| ⩾2 doses (%) | 111/176 (63) | 97/169 (57) |
| Mode/reason of delivery (%) | ||
| EmCS—PIH/APH | 29 (15) | 47 (24) |
| EmCS—fetal distress | 43 (22) | 55 (28) |
| Spontaneous vaginal delivery | 70 (36) | 55 (28) |
| Semi-elective CS—IUGR | 7 (4) | 2 (1) |
| Other/not apparent | 44 (23) | 34 (18) |
| Sepsis (%) | ||
| Any septic episode | 66 (34) | 61 (32) |
| Total blood culture positive episodes | 87 | 78 |
| CNS positive episodes | 81 | 70 |
| >1 CNS positive episodes | 15 (8) | 15 (8) |
| Not known | 17 (9) | 24 (12) |
EmCS = emergency caesarean section; PIH = pregnancy induced hypertension; APH = antepartum haemorrhage; IUGR = intrauterine growth retardation; CNS = coagulase negative staphylococci