Comparison 5. Oral ibuprofen versus intravenous (IV) ibuprofen.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Failure to close a patent ductus arteriosus (after single or 3 doses)	5	406	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.38 [0.26, 0.56]
2 Mortality (during first 28/30 days of life)	1	64	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.13 [0.50, 2.55]
3 Mortality (during hospital stay)	2	188	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.83 [0.38, 1.82]
4 Mean plasma cystatin‐C (mg/L) after treatment	1	102	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.25 [‐0.37, ‐0.13]
5 Need for surgical closure of the ductus	5	406	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.41 [0.14, 1.21]
6 Duration of ventilatory support	2	134	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.54 [‐0.01, 1.10]
7 Duration of hospitalisation (days)	3	236	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐2.51 [‐5.21, 0.19]
8 Pneumothorax	2	172	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.41 [0.11, 1.54]
9 Pulmonary haemorrhage	1	70	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.14 [0.01, 2.52]
10 Pulmonary hypertension	2	172	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Chronic lung disease (at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age or at discharge)	3	236	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.82 [0.56, 1.20]
12 Intraventricular haemorrhage (any grade)	1	64	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.08 [0.59, 2.00]
13 Periventricular leukomalacia	1	64	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.0 [0.15, 6.67]
14 Necrotising enterocolitis (any stage)	3	236	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.35, 2.15]
15 Intestinal perforation	2	134	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.32 [0.01, 7.48]
16 Gastrointestinal bleed	2	172	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.89 [0.12, 69.24]
17 Sepsis	3	236	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.82 [0.54, 1.25]
18 Retinopathy of prematurity that required laser treatment	2	172	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.59 [0.26, 1.34]
19 Serum/plasma creatinine levels (μmol/L) after treatment	2	170	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐22.47 [‐32.40, ‐12.53]
20 Oliguria (Urine output < 1 mL/kg/hour)	4	304	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.14 [0.01, 2.66]
21 Mental Developmental Index (Bayley II) at 18‐24 months	1	57	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐9.0 [‐23.89, 5.89]
22 Psychomotor Developmental Index at 18‐24 months	1	57	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	5.0 [‐7.67, 17.67]
23 Moderate/severe cerebral palsy at 18‐24 months	1	57	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.35 [0.24, 7.48]
24 Blindness at 18‐24 months	1	57	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
25 Deafness at 18‐24 months	1	57	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]