Table 3

Association between postnatal CMV infection and secondary outcomes

OutcomePostnatal CMV+Postnatal CMV-Relative risk* (95% CI)P value
Death3/33 (9.1%)28/563 (5.0%)1.78 (0.64, 4.94)0.27
NEC6/33 (18%)37/563 (6.6%)
BPD (mild, moderate or severe)14/33 (42%)226/563 (40%)1.00 (0.69 to 1.46)0.98
BPD (moderate or severe)8/33 (24%)128/563 (23%)1.02 (0.57 to 1.80)0.95
ROP (stage 2+)4/33 (12%)76/563 (13%)0.85 (0.34 to 2.09)0.72
ROP (stage 3+)1/33 (3.0%)22/563 (3.9%)0.73 (0.10 to 5.21)0.75
Positive blood culture5/33 (15%)59/563 (10%)1.36 (0.68 to 2.74)0.38
Composite outcome‡12/33 (36%)171/563 (30%)1.14 (0.77 to 1.69)0.51
  • *Results from modified Poisson regression models adjusted for birth weight and centre.

  • †Please refer to table 2 for estimates of risk for NEC, accounting for temporality between exposure and outcome.

  • ‡Defined as death, moderate or severe BPD, ROP stage 3+or NEC.

  • BPD, bronchopulmonary dysplasia; CMV, cytomegalovirus; NEC, necrotising  enterocolitis; ROP, retinopathy of prematurity.