Baseline maternal and infant characteristics
| High flow (n=59) | nCPAP (n=61) | |
| Gestational age, weeks | 28 (27–29) | 28 (27–29) |
| <27 weeks’ gestation at birth | 14 (23) | 12 (19) |
| Birth weight (g) | 1115 (932–1347) | 1132 (965–1290) |
| Male | 26 (44) | 34 (55) |
| Ethnicity | ||
| New Zealand European | 6 (10) | 9 (14) |
| Māori | 21 (35) | 18 (29) |
| Pacific Peoples | 16 (27) | 21 (34) |
| Asian | 13 (22) | 13 (21) |
| Other | 3 (5) | 0 (0) |
| Multiple birth | 9 (15) | 14 (23) |
| Apgar score at 5 min | 8 (7–9) | 8 (7–9) |
| Antenatal corticosteroids | ||
| Completed | 34 (57) | 48 (78) |
| Prolonged rupture of membranes (≥18 hours) | 11 (19) | 19 (31) |
| Chorioamnionitis* | 22 (37) | 21 (34) |
| Antepartum haemorrhage | 20 (33) | 25 (41) |
| Maternal pre-eclampsia | 10 (16) | 12 (19) |
| Maternal diabetes mellitus | 8 (13) | 5 (8) |
| Emergency caesarean section | 35 (59) | 40 (65) |
| Resuscitation at birth | ||
| Intermittent positive pressure ventilation | 39 (66) | 34 (55) |
| Intubation | 14 (23) | 5 (8) |
| Chest compressions | 4 (6) | 0 (0) |
| Emergency central lines and epinephrine | 1 (1) | 0 (0) |
| Minimal one dose surfactant received | 30 (51) | 28 (45) |
| Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB II) score | 7 (5.5–9) | 7 (5–9) |
| Prerandomisation | ||
| Patent ductus arteriosus requiring medical treatment | 5 (8) | 5 (8) |
| Early onset sepsis† | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Mechanical ventilation | 20 (34) | 12 (20) |
| Time on mechanical ventilation (hours) | 41 (20–128) | 57 (29–186) |
| Time on nCPAP 7–9 cm water (hours) | 105 (40–310) | 72 (27–284) |
| Postmenstrual age at randomisation | 30 (29–32) | 30 (29–31) |
Data shown as median (IQR) or number (%).
*Defined on histology by pathologist.
†Australia and New Zealand Neonatal Network definition 2015.
nCPAP, nasal continuous positive airway pressure.