Table 3. Relationships between S. epidermidis colonization (counts expressed as log₁₀ CFU/g) and the main clinical and demographic data.

Parameter		Positive samples and counts		P value
		n (%)	Microbial Counts Median (IQR)
Gestational age	< 28 weeks	16 (62%)	7.91 (6.47–8.35)	0.958
	> 28 weeks	10 (38%)	7.51 (6.61–8.56)
Birth weight	< 1000 g	11 (42%)	7.98 (7.03–8.37)	0.391
	> 1000 g	15 (58%)	7.46 (6.18–8.48)
Delivery mode	Vaginal	12 (46%)	7.47 (6.67–7.94)	0.291
	Cesarean section	14 (54%)	8.31 (6.20–8.71)
Antibiotherapy (days)	No Ab or <3 days	10 (38%)	7.46 (6.61–8.12)	0.399
	>3 days	16 (62%)	7.95 (6.47–8.66)
Mechanical ventilation	YES	16 (62%)	7.95 (7.20–8.50)	0.246
	NO	10 (38%)	7.08 (5.98–8.13)
CPAP	< 7 days	13 (50%)	7.36 (5.78–8.32)	0.238
	> 7 days	13 (50%)	7.98 (7.45–8.42)
Parenteral nutrition	< 7 days	15 (58%)	7.57 (6.64–8.68)	0.736
	> 7 days	11 (42%)	7.92 (6.24–8.31)
Enteral feeding tubes	< 45 days	11 (42%)	7.46 (6.70–8.48)	0.835
	> 45 days	15 (58%)	7.92 (5.74–8.37)
CVN	< 7 days	13 (50%)	7.57 (6.70–8.64)	0.700
	> 7 days	13 (50%)	7.90 (5.78–8.32)
NICU stay	< 45 days	15 (58%)	7.45 (6.18–8.11)	0.119
	> 45 days	11 (42%)	8.30 (7.64–8.57)
Hospital stay	< 60 days	13 (50%)	7.46 (6.70–8.64)	0.959
	> 60 days	13 (50%)	7.92 (5.78–8.32)
Predominance of MOM feedings	No	5 (19%)	7.90 (7.57–8.30)	0.625
	Yes	21 (81%)	7.46 (5.78–8.42)
S. epidermidis Sepsis	No	21 (81%)	7.90 (6.70–8.64)	0.228
	Yes	5 (19%)	6.70 (5.78–7.92)
Sampling time	Meconium (n = 16)	6 (38%)	6.80 (4.80–8.80)	0,098*
	1st week feces (n = 18)	16 (89%)	7.85 (7.00–8.38)
	2nd week feces (n = 23)	13 (57%)	6.70 (6.30–7.30)
	3rd week feces (n = 24)	12 (50%)	6.50 (5.93–7.53)
	4th week feces (n = 11)	3 (27%)	7.70 (7.65–8.50)

*Friedman test.