| Data | SBT (n = 90) | Control (n = 90) | p Value |
| Birth weight* (g) | 861 (229) | 914 (189) | 0.09 |
| Gestational age* (weeks) | 27 (2) | 27 (2) | 0.43 |
| Multiple births (%) | 34 (38) | 38 (42) | 0.12 |
| Antenatal steroids (%) | 72 (80) | 70 (78) | 0.72 |
| Gender (male/female) | 39/51 | 43/47 | 0.55 |
| Ventilated from birth (%) | 54 (60) | 77 (86) | <0.001 |
| Time from birth to intubation (hours) | 0 (0–658) | 0 (0–261) | 0.001 |
| Surfactant (%) | 81 (90) | 84 (93) | 0.42 |
| PDA treated (%) | 37 (41) | 33 (37) | 0.54 |
| Air leak (%) | 7 (8) | 10 (11) | 0.44 |
| HFOV (%) | 16 (18) | 13 (14) | 0.54 |
| Postnatal steroids (%) | 7 (8) | 6 (7) | 0.77 |
Data are either mean (SD)* and analysed with independent t tests or number /proportions analysed by χ2 analysis.
HFOV, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation; PDA, patent ductus arteriosus.