Dear Editor:
We thank Dr Burgner [1] for his interest in our study [2]. Dr Burgner pointed out the potential for oversimplification of our survival model by summarizing prematurity and low birth weight, which may have resulted in effect modification being overlooked. This is an interesting idea, and we agree that perhaps a stratified approach could provide more meaningful estimates of such effect measure modification. However, stratifying on these dichotomous variables is not possible with our data due to the small sample size. We think this would be an important approach for future studies and look forward to publications evaluating possible effect modification by gestational age or birth weight.
Footnotes
Potential conflicts of interest. All authors: No reported conflicts of interest. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed.
References
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