Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of mothers and babies recruited to study. Values are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise
| Characteristic | Baby Check group (n=497) | Control group (n=500) |
|---|---|---|
| Maternal characteristics | ||
| Age (years): | ||
| Mean (SD) | 29.0 (5.4) | 28.6 (5.4) |
| Range | 16 to 43 | 15 to 43 |
| Missing data (No) | 30 | 29 |
| Deprivation category: | ||
| Affluent | 156 (31) | 159 (32) |
| Intermediate | 135 (27) | 129 (26) |
| Deprived | 206 (41) | 212 (42) |
| Parity: | ||
| First live child | 220 (46) | 211 (44) |
| More than one | 263 (54) | 269 (56) |
| Not known | 14 | 30 |
| Delivery type: | ||
| Vaginal | 379 (80) | 392 (84) |
| Caesarian section | 68 (14) | 59 (13) |
| Emergency caesarian | 24 (5) | 15 (3) |
| Not known | 26 | 34 |
| Feeding at discharge: | ||
| Breast | 225 (49) | 221 (48) |
| Bottle | 231 (51) | 240 (52) |
| Not known | 41 | 39 |
| Baby characteristics | ||
| Sex: | ||
| Male | 261 (53) | 263 (53) |
| Female | 228 (47) | 234 (47) |
| Not known | 8 | 3 |
| APGAR score at 5 min: | ||
| <9 | 23 (5) | 18 (4) |
| ⩾9 | 416 (95) | 432 (96) |
| Not known | 58 | 50 |
| Gestation: | ||
| Premature | 23 (6) | 19 (5) |
| Term | 368 (94) | 386 (95) |
| Not known | 106 | 95 |
| Birth weight: | ||
| <2500 g | 26 (5) | 26 (5) |
| ⩾2500 g | 451 (95) | 454 (95) |
| Not known | 20 | 20 |