Van Overmeire 1997.

Methods	Single centre, randomised controlled trial conducted in Antwerp, Belgium Study period: not stated Blinding of randomisation ‐ yes Blinding of intervention ‐ no Complete follow‐up ‐ yes Blinding of outcome measurement(s) ‐ no
Participants	40 preterm infants (GA 33 weeks) were randomised Ibuprofen: 20 infants, mean (SD) GA 29.0 (2.4) weeks; BW 1270 (450) grams; surfactant use 15 Indomethacin: 20 infants, mean (SD) GA 28.7 (1.9) weeks; BW 1210 (360) grams, surfactant use 19
Interventions	Ibuprofen: IV 10 mg/kg as the initial dose followed by 5 mg/kg 24 and 48 hours later Indomethacin: IV 0.2 mg/kg every 12 hours for 3 doses Both drugs were infused over 15 minutes
Outcomes	PDA closure rate, PDA ligation rate, mortality, sepsis, NEC, age to regain BW, and ROP
Notes	It is possible that there was overlap between this study and a report in abstract form with 28 infants enrolled (Van Overmeire 1996). No information on funding provided
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	No information provided
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	Sealed envelopes were used
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	High risk	Ibuprofen and indomethacin were given at different times
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Ibuprofen and indomethacin were given at different times. It was not stated whether the ECHOs were performed by a physician blinded to group assignment
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Outcomes reported for all infants randomised
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Unclear risk	Study protocol was not available to us so we could not ascertain if there were deviations from the protocol
Other bias	Low risk	Appeared free of other bias