Table 2. Comparison of neonatal variables between the early and late groups.

IQR: interquartile range; MV: mechanical ventilation; NICU: neonatal intensive care unit; SD: standard deviation

		Early group	Late group	P-value
		n = 125	n = 125
Gestational age (weeks), median (IQR)		36 (33–39)	35 (34–38)	0.23
Birth weight (g), mean ± SD		2,667 ± 872	2,519 ± 765	0.20
Gender	Female, n (%)	55 (44%)	50 (40%)	0.46
	Male, n (%)	70 (56%)	75 (60%)
Type of birth	Cesarean section, n (%)	42 (34%)	19 (15%)	0.004
	Vaginal delivery, n (%)	83 (66%)	106 (85%)
Duration of MV (days), median (IQR)		4 (2–7)	4 (2–7)	0.96
Duration of NICU stay (days), median (IQR)		17 (16–21)	16 (15–29)	0.18
Type of feeding	Breast milk, n (%)	52 (42%)	56 (45%)	0.29
	Formula, n (%)	21 (16%)	13(10%)
	Mixed, n (%)	52 (42%)	56 (45%)