Comparison 2. Volume‐targeted ventilation (VTV) versus pressure‐limited ventilation (PLV) ‐ infants weighing less than 1000 g.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Death in hospital	5	246	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.71 [0.42, 1.21]
1.1 Strict studies	4	226	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.80 [0.46, 1.39]
1.2 Hybrid studies	1	20	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.25 [0.03, 1.86]
2 Death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (36 weeks)	4	224	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.79 [0.62, 1.01]
2.1 Strict studies	3	81	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.75 [0.52, 1.10]
2.2 Hybrid studies	1	143	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.82 [0.59, 1.12]
3 Duration of positive pressure ventilation (days, survivors)	5	198	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.82 [‐4.43, 2.80]
3.1 Strict studies	3	63	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.32 [‐4.53, 3.89]
3.2 Hybrid studies	2	135	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐2.21 [‐9.29, 4.87]
4 Duration of positive pressure ventilation (log data, survivors)	5	198	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.01 [‐0.12, 0.10]
4.1 Strict studies	3	63	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.04 [‐0.23, 0.14]
4.2 Hybrid studies	2	135	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.01 [‐0.12, 0.14]
5 Any pH < 7.25	2	46	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.71 [0.46, 1.09]
6 Hypocarbia partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) < 35 mmHg/4.7 kPa	1	6	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.19 [0.01, 2.36]
7 Respiratory acidosis pH < 7.25 and pCO2 > 60 mmHg/8 kPa	2	46	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.79 [0.43, 1.47]
8 Hypocarbia or respiratory acidosis	1	6	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.19 [0.01, 2.36]
9 Patent ductus arteriosus	4	241	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.09 [0.85, 1.39]
9.1 Strict studies	2	75	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.10 [0.77, 1.57]
9.2 Hybrid studies	2	166	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.08 [0.78, 1.50]
10 Air leak (any)	4	189	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.11 [0.55, 2.23]
10.1 Strict studies	2	23	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.83 [0.10, 7.24]
10.2 Hybrid studies	2	166	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.14 [0.54, 2.40]
11 Pneumothorax	5	247	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.63 [0.29, 1.37]
11.1 Strict studies	3	81	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.46 [0.11, 1.90]
11.2 Hybrid studies	2	166	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.72 [0.28, 1.86]
12 Pulmonary interstitial emphysema	4	189	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.45 [0.58, 3.67]
12.1 Strict studies	2	23	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.83 [0.10, 7.24]
12.2 Hybrid studies	2	166	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.62 [0.58, 4.53]
13 Any intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH)	4	225	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.79 [0.55, 1.16]
13.1 Strict studies	2	62	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.14 [0.62, 2.08]
13.2 Hybrid studies	2	163	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.66 [0.40, 1.06]
14 IVH grade 3‐4	4	184	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.53 [0.27, 1.04]
14.1 Strict studies	3	164	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.61 [0.28, 1.36]
14.2 Hybrid studies	1	20	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.33 [0.09, 1.27]
15 Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)	4	203	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.43 [0.15, 1.24]
15.1 Strict studies	3	79	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.38 [0.10, 1.53]
15.2 Hybrid studies	1	124	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.5 [0.10, 2.63]
16 Any IVH or PVL	3	186	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.90 [0.60, 1.35]
16.1 Strict studies	2	62	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.05 [0.61, 1.80]
16.2 Hybrid studies	1	124	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.78 [0.43, 1.42]
17 IVH grade 3‐4 or PVL	3	145	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.39 [0.15, 0.99]
17.1 Strict studies	2	21	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.10 [0.01, 1.04]
17.2 Hybrid studies	1	124	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.56 [0.19, 1.64]
18 BPD (supplemental oxygen in survivors at 36 weeks)	4	202	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.81 [0.59, 1.12]
18.1 Strict studies	3	79	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.49, 1.50]
18.2 Hybrid studies	1	123	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.79 [0.53, 1.18]