Early intervention n=64 | Later intervention n=62 | P value | |
Patient characteristics | |||
GA (weeks), median (SD) | 27.4 (3.3) | 27.4 (3.2) | NS |
BW (g), median (SD) | 1110 (494) | 1160 (548) | NS |
Male | 36 | 37 | NS |
PVHI | 24 (37.5%) | 19 (30.6%) | NS |
Death | 7 (11%) | 9 (14%) | NS |
Intervention details | |||
Day of randomisation (median, range) | 9 (2–22) | 9 (3–21) | NS |
Day of first intervention (LP) following randomisation (median, range) | 1 (1–11) | 6 (2–19) | <0.001 |
LPs | 62 (97%) | 36 (58%) | <0.001 |
VR | 40 (62%) | 27 (43%) | <0.05 |
Day of VR placement following randomisation (median, range) | 6 (2–15) | 10 (5–28) | <0.001 |
VP shunt | 12 (19%) | 14 (23%) | NS |
CSF protein before VP shunt (g/L, median—IQR) | 1.5 (1.4) (available in 8 infants) | 1.0 (1.1)(available in 11 infants) | NS |
CSF erythrocytes before VP shunt (median, IQR) | 3 (32) (available in 8 infants) | 10 (33) (available in 11 infants) | NS |
BW, birth weight; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; GA, gestational age; LP, lumbar puncture; NS, not significant; PVHI, periventricular haemorrhagic infarction; VP, ventriculoperitoneal; VR, ventricular reservoir.