Table 5

Summary of findings table for secondary outcome: major morbidities

30% Threshold40% Threshold50% Threshold60% Threshold
Total major morbidities (n)
Studies: 12
Participants: 5134
Prophylaxis:
316 per 1000
(31.6 per 100 participants)		RaR 1.14
(0.94 to 1.40)
Network estimate		45 more per 1000
(20 fewer to 126 more)		RaR 1.18
(0.89 to 1.56)
Network estimate		56 more per 1000
(34 fewer to 176 more)		RaR 1.04
(0.92 to 1.18)
Network estimate		14 more per 1000
(25 fewer to 58 more)		RaR 1.02
(0.81 to 1.28)
Network estimate		six more per 1000
(62 fewer to 89 more)
Quality of evidence
⊕◯◯◯ Very low*†§		Based on 1783 participants
(3 RCTs)		Based on 939 participants
(4 RCTs)		Based on 1617 participants
(3 RCTs)		Based on 795 participants
(2 RCTs)
Grade 3/4 intraventricular haemorrhage
Studies: 12
Participants: 5134
Prophylaxis
44 per 1000
(4.4%)		OR 2.01
(0.83 to 5.46)
Network estimate		40 more per 1000
(7 fewer to 156 more)		OR 1.69
(0.77 to 4.10)
Network estimate		28 more per 1000
(10 fewer to 114 more)		OR 1.11
(0.44 to 2.47)
Network estimate		5 more per 1000
(24 fewer to 58 more)		OR 0.68
(0.22 to 2.03)
Network estimate		14 fewer per 1000
(34 fewer to 41 more)
Quality of Evidence
⊕⊕◯◯ Low *†		Based on 1783 participants
(3 RCTs)		Based on 939 participants
(4 RCTs)		Based on 1617 participants
(3 RCTs)		Based on 795 participants
(2 RCTs)
Periventricular leucomalacia
Studies: 8
Participants: 3087
Prophylaxis:
34 per 1000
(3.4%)		OR 0.81
(0.51 to 1.28)
Network estimate		6 fewer per 1000
(16 fewer to nine more)		OR 0.64
(0.07 to 4.25)
Network estimate		12 fewer per 1000
(31 fewer to 96 more)		OR 0.80
(0.21 to 2.81)
Network estimate		7 fewer per 1000
(27 fewer to 56 more)		OR 0.58
(0.19 to 1.50)
Network estimate		14 fewer per 1000
(27 fewer to 16 more)
Quality of evidence:
⊕◯◯◯ Very low *†§		Based on 1783 participants
(3 RCTs)		Based on 208 participants
(1 RCT)		Based on 301 participants
(2 RCTs)		Based on 795 participants
(2 RCTs)
Necrotising enterocolitis
Studies: 10
Participants: 4690
Prophylaxis:
75 per 1000
(7.5%)		OR 0.86
(0.55 to 1.35)
Network estimate		10 fewer per 1000
(32 fewer to 24 more)		OR 1.27
(0.81 to 2.01)
Network estimate		18 more per 1000
(13 fewer to 65 more)		OR 1.27
(0.91 to 1.77)
Network estimate		18 more per 1000
(6 fewer to 51 more)		OR 1.15
(0.61 to 2.10)
Network estimate		10 more per 1000
(28 fewer to 70 more)
Quality of evidence:
⊕⊕◯◯ Low *†		Based on 1504 participants
(2 RCTs)		Based on 921 participants
(4 RCTs)		Based on 1617 participants
(3 RCTs)		Based on 648 participants
(1 RCT)
Retinopathy of prematurity
>stage 2
Studies: 6
Participants: 3727
Prophylaxis
52 per 1000
(5.2%)		OR 1.01
(0.01 to 96.83)
Network estimate		1 more per 1000
(52 fewer to 790 more)		OR 0.87
(0.09 to 7.05)
Network estimate		6 fewer per 1000
(47 fewer to 228 more)		OR 0.99
(0.12 to 6.96)
Network estimate		0 fewer per 1000
(45 fewer to 225 more)		OR 2.36
(0.13 to 40.29)
Network estimate		63 more per 1000
(45 fewer to 638 more)
Quality of evidence:
⊕◯◯◯ Very low *†§		Based on 1248 participants
(1 RCT)		Based on 367 participants
(2 RCTs)		Based on 1464 participants
(2 RCTs)		Based on 648 participants
(1 RCT)
BPD
Studies: 8
Participants: 3003
Prophylaxis:
113 per 1000
(11.3%)		OR 1.39
(0.87 to 2.24)
Network estimate		38 more per 1000
(13 fewer to 109 more)		OR 0.77
(0.37 to 1.58)
Network estimate		24 fewer per 1000
(68 fewer to 55 more)		OR 0.93
(0.74 to 1.16)
Network estimate		7 fewer per 1000
(27 fewer to 16 more)		OR 1.02
(0.72 to 1.45)
Network estimate		2 more per 1000
(30 fewer to 43 more)
Quality of evidence:
⊕◯◯◯ Very low*†‡		Based on 279 participants
(1 RCT)		Based on 460 participants
(3 RCT)		Based on 1469 participants
(2 RCT)		Based on 795 participants
(2 RCT)

  • All results are reported as OR with 95% credible intervals.

  • *The trials were all had some concerns or were at high risk of bias .

  • †There was significant heterogeneity.

  • ‡This is a surrogate outcome or was an indirect comparison.

  • §Less than 300 events in combined groups.

  • ¶There is evidence of publication bias.

  • BPD, bronchopulmonary dysplasia; RaR, rate ratio; RCT, randomised controlled trial.