Table 1.
Demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups.
| Characteristic | N = 23 | EUGR = 12 | AGA = 11 | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gestational age, weeks (mean, SD) | 28.9 (1.8) | 29.2 (1.9) | 28.5 (1.7) | 0.31 |
| Maternal age, years (mean, SD) | 28.7 (5.1) | 28.6 (5.7) | 28.7 (4.5) | 0.95 |
| Birth weight, grams (mean, SD) | 1,187 (212) | 1,187 (217) | 1,188 (216) | 0.99 |
| Male | 18 (78.3%) | 9 (75%) | 9 (81.8%) | 1 |
| Antenatal medications | ||||
| Antibiotic | 9 (39.1%) | 5 (41.7%) | 4 (36.4%) | 1 |
| Magnesium sulfate | 18 (78.3%) | 7 (58.3%) | 11 (100%) | 0.06 |
| Dexamethasone | 21 (91.3%) | 11 (91.7%) | 10 (90.9%) | 1 |
| Vaginal birth | 12 (52.2%) | 7 (58.3%) | 5 (45.5%) | 0.84 |
| Multiple birth | 7 (30.4%) | 4 (33.3%) | 3 (27.3%) | 1 |
| Chorioamnionitis | 13 (56.5%) | 5 (41.7%) | 8 (72.7%) | 0.28 |
| Small for gestational age | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 1 |
| Amino acid supplement | 22 (95.7%) | 12 (100%) | 10 (90.9%) | 0.96 |
| Respiratory distress syndrome | 10 (43.5%) | 4 (33.3%) | 6 (54.5%) | 0.55 |
| Patent ductus arteriosus | 8 (34.8%) | 6 (50%) | 2 (18.2%) | 0.25 |
| Postnatal age, weeks (mean, SD) | 37.2 (2.0) | 37.6 (2.1) | 36.7 (1.9) | 0.28 |
| Postnatal treatment with steroids | 3 (13.0%) | 1 (8.3%) | 2 (18.2%) | 0.94 |
| Bronchopulmonory dysplasia | 13 (56.5%) | 6 (50%) | 7 (63.6%) | 0.81 |
| Treated retinopathy of prematurity | 5 (21.7%) | 3 (25%) | 2 (18.2%) | 1 |
| Necrotizing enterocolitis | 1 (4.3%) | 1 (8.3%) | 0 (0%) | 1 |
| Surgical necrotizing enterocolitis | 1 (4.3%) | 1 (8.3%) | 0 (0%) | 1 |
| Postnatal antibiotics exposure in the first week | 18 (78.3%) | 10 (83.3%) | 8 (72.7%) | 0.91 |
| Postnatal antibiotics exposure after the first week | 14 (60.9%) | 7 (58.3%) | 7 (63.6%) | 1 |
| Days on antibiotics during hospitalization (mean, SD) | 14.5 (10.5) | 16.3 (13.5) | 12.4 (6.0) | 0.44 |
| Early onset infection | 14 (60.9%) | 8 (66.7%) | 6 (54.5%) | 0.87 |
| Late onset infection | 10 (43.5%) | 6 (50%) | 4 (36.4%) | 0.81 |
| Packed red blood cell transfusion | 20 (87.0%) | 9 (75%) | 11 (100%) | 0.25 |
| Feeding type | 0.24 | |||
| Maternal breast milk only | 5 (21.7%) | 1 (8.3%) | 4 (36.4%) | |
| Formula only | 8 (34.8%) | 5 (41.7%) | 3 (27.3%) | |
| Mixed feeding types | 10 (43.5%) | 6 (50%) | 4 (36.4%) | |
| Feeding intolerance in post-natal 2 weeks | 11 (47.8%) | 7 (58.3%) | 4 (36.4%) | 0.52 |
| Length of stay, days (mean, SD) | 58.4 (21.6) | 58.9 (24.1) | 57.7 (19.7) | 0.90 |
| Postmentrual age, weeks (mean, SD) | 37.3 (1.8) | 37.8 (1.9) | 36.7 (1.6) | 0.16 |
| z-score for weight at discharge | −1.5 (0.65) | −2.0 (0.5) | −1.0 (0.1) | <0.01 |