Table 2 Infant outcomes of four groups (data from randomisation; n (%) or median (IQR) unless specified)

CLD at 36 weeks

3 (20 %)

4 (27 %)

7 (47 %)

2 (13 %)

0.2

Days respiratory support

21 (9, 33)

26 (20, 38)

30 (24, 33)

24 (10, 35)

0.4

Days hospital stay

50 (39, 58)

53 (41, 71)

64 (50, 78)

53 (48, 66)

0.2

Days to full suck feeds

40 (35, 54)

51 (36, 66)

57 (41, 73)

51 (37, 64)

0.5

Days NCPAP

1 (0, 12)

24 (9, 28)

15 (11, 21)

24 (10, 35)

0.002

Gestational age off NCPAP

31.6

33.9

35.7

34.6

0.04

(30.0, 34.1)

(32.1, 35.9)

(31.0, 37.6)

(31.9, 35.3)

Days HFNC from start of treatment

15 (7, 24)

30 (20, 34)

0.004

Days pressure support

15 (9, 29)

24 (9, 28)

30 (24, 33)

24 (10, 35)

0.1

Gestational age off pressure support

34.0

33.9

35.9

34.6

0.07

(32.7, 35.3)

(32.1, 35.9)

(33.9, 38.9)

(31.9, 35.3)

Gestational age off respiratory support

34.7

34.1

35.9

34.6

0.1

(33.4, 35.3)

(33.1, 36.0)

(33.9, 38.9)

(31.9, 35.3)

Gestational age at full suck feeds

36.9

37.1

39.6

37.3

0.1

(36.4, 38.0)

(36.1, 40.6)

(37.1, 44.0)

(36.6, 39.1)

Gestation at discharge

37.7

37.9

39.9

38.3

0.1

(36.9, 39.1)

(37.1, 40.1)

(37.9, 45.0)

(36.9, 39.7)

Postnatal growth failure

9 (60 %)

9 (60 %)

7 (47 %)

7 (47 %)

0.8

Weight at 36 weeks - g (sd)

2158 (411)

2044 (390)

2042 (338)

2128 (532)

0.4

Days caffeine

24 (24)

34 (30)

40 (22)

39 (33)

0.2

Grade 2 apnea (required IPPV)

0

1 (7 %)

0

0

0.4

Necrotising enterocolitis

0

1 (7 %)

0

0

0.4

Treated ductus arteriosus

2 (13 %)

5 (33 %)

4 (27 %)

1 (7 %)

0.2

Retinopathy of prematurity

7 (47 %)

6 (40 %)

6 (40 %)

6 (40 %)

0.6

Laser therapy

1 (7 %)

0

0

1 (7 %)

0.6

Nasal injury

0

0

1 (7 %)

1 (7 %)

0.4

Withdrawn

0

6 (40 %)

1 (7 %)

0

0.01