Clinical characteristics of the study population
| Term | Preterm | |
|---|---|---|
| Results are reported as mean (SD) and range or by absolute numbers in term (37–41 weeks) and preterm (< 37 weeks) infants. Three infants received surgery on the first day of life (oesophageal atresia). | ||
| HELLP, Haemolysis, elevated liver functions, low platelets; CV, conventional ventilation; HFO, high frequency oscillation; CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure. | ||
| Number of infants | 10 | 20 |
| Birth weight (g) | ||
| Mean | 3323 (538) | 1456 (592) |
| Range | 1980–4000 | 505–2440 |
| Gestational age (weeks) | ||
| Mean | 38.5 (1.2) | 31.4 (2.5) |
| Range | 37–40 | 27–35 |
| Maternal complications | ||
| Pre-eclampsia/HELLP | 3 | 4 |
| Solutio placentae | 1 | 2 |
| Other medical conditions | 0 | 2 |
| Caesarean section | 2 | 12 |
| Diagnosis | ||
| Respiratory distress | –– | 9 |
| Wet lung disease | 5 | –– |
| Meconium aspiration | 2 | –– |
| Pneumothorax | 1 | –– |
| Congenital heart disease | 1 | –– |
| Surgical conditions | 1 | 2 |
| Prematurity | –– | 9 |
| Ventilation | ||
| CV/HFO | 8 | 8 |
| Nasal CPAP | –– | 10 |
| Prenatal betamethasone | –– | 13 |