Neonatal morbidities, medical interventions, and outcome in the study and control groups
| Variable | Study group (n=21) | Control group (n=42) |
|---|---|---|
| If not indicated otherwise, values are mean (SD). | ||
| *Significantly different from study group. | ||
| CMV, Cytomegalovirus. | ||
| Respiratory distress syndrome | 8 (38%) | 13 (30.9%) |
| Patent ductus arteriosus | 1 (4.8%) | 1 (2.4%) |
| Apnoea | 1 (4.8%) | 7 (16.7%) |
| Metabolic acidosis (pH <7.25) | 3 (14.3%) | 3 (7.1%) |
| Hypoglycaemia (serum glucose <45 mg/dl) | 5 (23.8%) | 18 (42.9%) |
| Haematological | ||
| Haemoglobin <14 g/dl | 7 (33.3%) | 20 (47.6%) |
| Packed cell volume >65% | 0 | 1 (2.4%) |
| Leucocytes <5000/mm3 | 0 | 4 (9.6%) |
| Platelets <100000/mm3 | 3 (14.3%) | 2 (4.8%) |
| Hyperbilirubinaemia | ||
| Serum bilirubin >13 mg/dl | 6 (28.6%) | 18 (42.9%) |
| Peak serum bilirubin (mg/dl) | 11 (2.2) | 12.2 (3.4) |
| Congenital viral infection | 1 (CMV) | 0 |
| Acquired bacterial sepsis | 3 (14.3%) | 6 (14.3%) |
| Acquired fungal sepsis | 1 (4.8%) | 1 (4.8%) |
| Necrotising enterocolitis | 0 | 0 |
| Intraventricular haemorrhage | ||
| Grade 1–2 | 4 (19%) | 6 (14.3%) |
| Grade 3–4 | 1 (4.8%) | 2 (4.8%) |
| Seizures | 0 | 2 (4.8%) |
| Mechanical ventilation | 7 (33.3%) | 13 (30.9%) |
| Duration (days) | 2.1 (5.2) | 1.1 (2.1) |
| Umbilical artery catheterisation | 3 (14.3%) | 3 (7.1%) |
| Duration (days) | 0.48 (1.6) | 0.33 (1.4) |
| Umbilical vein catheterisation | 6 (28.6%) | 10 (23.8%) |
| Duration (days) | 1.52 (2.9) | 0.83 (1.8) |
| Surfactant replacement therapy | 4 (19%) | 4 (9.6%) |
| Blood transfusion | 1 (4.8%) | 11 (26.2%)* |
| Exchange transfusion | 1 (4.8%) | 1 (2.4%) |
| Phototherapy | 5 (23.8%) | 25 (59.5%)* |
| Duration (days) | 0.95 (1.9) | 1.98 (2.3) |
| Hospital stay (days) | 39.8 (81.1) | 23.8 (17.3) |
| Mortality | 0 | 0 |