Table 1.

Specification of outcome measurements

Outcome	Defined as
Maternal infections	Two measurements of maternal temperature above 37,8 degrees Celsius at a 1 h interval plus a maternal pulse above 100 beats/min requiring treatment with antibiotics
Maternal side effects	Vaginal bleeding, discharge, discomfort and dyspareunia
BPD (severe chronic lung disease)	Babies born before 32 weeks: need for >30% oxygen, with or without positive pressure ventilation or continuous positive pressure at 36 weeks postmenstrual age, or discharge (whichever comes first). Babies born after 32 weeks: need for >30% oxygen with or without positive pressure ventilation or continuous positive pressure at 56 days postnatal age, or discharge (whichever comes first).
IVH > grade II	Haemorrhage in the germinal matrix, ventricles, or cerebral parenchyma; observed on ultrasound examination or MRI
PVL > grade I	periventricular lucency in the white matter
NEC > stage I	The presence of the characteristic clinical features of abdominal distention, with or without rectal bleeding, and abdominal radiographic finding associated with pneumatosis intestinalis
Early sepsis	If prior to or at 72 h of life the infant had an infection marked by positive blood, CSF, or urine (catheterized or suprapubic) cultures with or without suspicious clinical findings of infection on physical examination.
Late sepsis	If after 72 h of life the infant had an infection marked by positive blood, CSF, or urine (catheterized or suprapubic) cultures with or without suspicious clinical findings of infection on physical examination OR If there is clinical evidence of cardiovascular collapse or an unequivocal X-ray confirming infection and often cardiovascular decomposition
Neonatal meningitis	Suspected or proven (caused by any pathogen)