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Search review questions
Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.
2,353 questions in 210 reviews · Neonatal
current versionsNo studies 432 · 18.4%Ungraded 99 · 4.2%Very low 609 · 25.9%Low 737 · 31.3%Moderate 385 · 16.4%High 91 · 3.9%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mask vs prongs Bronchopulmonary dysplasia · preterm infants receiving nasal CPAP Masks versus prongs as interfaces for nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.69 [0.46, 1.03] | 7 studies · 843 participants | Very low |
Systemic corticosteroids (dexamethasone or hydrocortisone) vs control (placebo or nothing) Mortality at latest reported age · preterm infants with chronic lung disease Late (≥ 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.81 [0.66, 0.99] | 21 studies · 1428 participants | High |
Systemic corticosteroids (dexamethasone or hydrocortisone) vs control (placebo or nothing) BPD at 36 weeks' PMA · preterm infants with chronic lung disease Late (≥ 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.8, 0.99] | 14 studies · 988 participants | Moderate |
Systemic corticosteroids (dexamethasone or hydrocortisone) vs control (placebo or nothing) Mortality or BPD at 36 weeks' PMA · preterm infants with chronic lung disease Late (≥ 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.85 [0.79, 0.92] | 14 studies · 988 participants | Moderate |
Systemic corticosteroids (dexamethasone or hydrocortisone) vs control (placebo or nothing) Cerebral palsy ‐ at latest reported age · preterm infants with chronic lung disease Late (≥ 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.17 [0.84, 1.61] | 17 studies · 1290 participants | High |
Systemic corticosteroids (dexamethasone or hydrocortisone) vs control (placebo or nothing) Mortality or cerebral palsy ‐ at latest reported age · preterm infants with chronic lung disease Late (≥ 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.9 [0.76, 1.06] | 17 studies · 1290 participants | High |
Early systemic postnatal corticosteroids vs placebo or no treatment Mortality at latest reported age · preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants Early (< 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.95 [0.85, 1.06] | 31 studies · 4373 participants | High |
Early systemic postnatal corticosteroids vs placebo or no treatment BPD (36 weeks' PMA) · preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants Early (< 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.8 [0.73, 0.88] | 26 studies · 4167 participants | Moderate |
Early systemic postnatal corticosteroids vs placebo or no treatment Mortality or BPD at 36 weeks' PMA · preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants Early (< 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.84, 0.94] | 26 studies · 4167 participants | High |
Early systemic postnatal corticosteroids vs placebo or no treatment Gastrointestinal perforation during primary hospitalisation · preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants Early (< 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.84 [1.36, 2.49] | 16 studies · 3040 participants | High |
Early systemic postnatal corticosteroids vs placebo or no treatment Cerebral palsy at latest reported age · preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants Early (< 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.42 [1.06, 1.91] | 13 studies · 1973 participants | High |
Early systemic postnatal corticosteroids vs placebo or no treatment Mortality or cerebral palsy at latest reported age · preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants Early (< 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.03 [0.91, 1.16] | 13 studies · 1973 participants | High |
Topical ointment or cream vs routine skin care Invasive infection until hospital discharge · preterm (< 37 weeks') and low birth weight (< 2500 g) infants Topical emollient for preventing infection in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.13 [0.97, 1.31] | 8 studies · 2086 participants | Low |
Topical ointment or cream vs routine skin care Mortality until hospital discharge (or latest reported) · preterm (< 37 weeks') and low birth weight (< 2500 g) infants Topical emollient for preventing infection in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.87 [0.75, 1.03] | 7 studies · 2067 participants | Low |
Topical oil vs routine skin care Invasive infectionuntil hospital discharge · preterm (< 37 weeks) and low birth weight (< 2500 g) infants Topical emollient for preventing infection in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.71 [0.52, 0.96] | 9 studies · 3256 participants | Low |
Topical oil vs routine skin care Mortality until hospital discharge (or latest reported) · preterm (< 37 weeks) and low birth weight (< 2500 g) infants Topical emollient for preventing infection in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.94 [0.82, 1.08] | 11 studies · 1119 participants | Low |
Topical ointment or cream vs oil Invasive infectionuntil hospital discharge · preterm (< 37 weeks) and low birth weight (< 2500 g) infants Topical emollient for preventing infection in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.91 [0.57, 1.46] | 1 study · 316 participants | Low |
Topical ointment or cream vs oil Mortality until hospital discharge (or latest reported) · preterm (< 37 weeks) and low birth weight (< 2500 g) infants Topical emollient for preventing infection in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.82 [0.68, 0.98] | 1 study · 316 participants | Low |
Topical oil vs another oil Invasive infectionuntil hospital discharge · preterm (< 37 weeks) and low birth weight (< 2500 g) infants Topical emollient for preventing infection in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 64 participants | Very low |
Topical oil vs another oil Mortality until hospital discharge (or latest reported) · preterm (< 37 weeks) and low birth weight (< 2500 g) infants Topical emollient for preventing infection in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 64 participants | Very low |
Slow vs faster rates of enteral feed advancement Necrotising enterocolitis before hospital discharge · very preterm or very low birth weight infants Slow advancement of enteral feed volumes to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.06 [0.83, 1.37] | 14 studies · 4026 participants | Moderate |
Slow vs faster rates of enteral feed advancement Mortality before hospital discharge · very preterm or very low birth weight infants Slow advancement of enteral feed volumes to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.13 [0.91, 1.39] | 13 studies · 3860 participants | Moderate |
Slow vs faster rates of enteral feed advancement Feed intolerance before hospital discharge · very preterm or very low birth weight infants Slow advancement of enteral feed volumes to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.18 | 9 studies · 719 participants | Low |
Slow vs faster rates of enteral feed advancement Invasive infection before hospital discharge · very preterm or very low birth weight infants Slow advancement of enteral feed volumes to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.14 [0.99, 1.31] | 11 studies · 3583 participants | Low |
Prophylactic or very early CPAP vs supportive care Failed treatment defined as recurrent apnoea, hypoxia, hypercarbia (such as PaCO₂ > 60 mmHg), increasing oxygen requirement, or the need for mechanical ventilation · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.6 [0.49, 0.74] | 4 studies · 765 participants | Very low |
Prophylactic CPAP vs mechanical ventilation Combined outcome of death and bronchopulmonary dysplasia defined as death at any time and oxygen dependency at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age · preterm infants < 37 weeks Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.81, 0.97] | 3 studies · 2358 participants | Moderate |
Prophylactic CPAP vs mechanical ventilation Failed treatment defined as the need for mechanical ventilation · preterm infants < 37 weeks Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.49 [0.45, 0.54] | 2 studies · 1042 participants | Moderate |
Prophylactic CPAP vs mechanical ventilation Pulmonary air leak defined as pneumothorax · preterm infants < 37 weeks Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.24 [0.91, 1.69] | 3 studies · 2357 participants | Low |
Prophylactic CPAP vs mechanical ventilation Intraventricular haemorrhage grade 3 or 4 · preterm infants < 37 weeks Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.09 [0.86, 1.39] | 3 studies · 2301 participants | Moderate |
Prophylactic CPAP vs mechanical ventilation Neurodevelopmental impairment defined as cerebral palsy, developmental delay, intellectual impairment, blindness or sensorineural deafness at 18 to 22 months corrected age · preterm infants < 37 weeks Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.91 [0.62, 1.32] | 1 study · 976 participants | Moderate |
Prophylactic CPAP vs very early CPAP Bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 28 days · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.5 [0.05, 5.27] | 1 study · 72 participants | Very low |
Prophylactic CPAP vs very early CPAP Failed treatment · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Prophylactic CPAP vs very early CPAP Death at any time (by 28 days) · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.75 [0.29, 1.94] | 1 study · 72 participants | Very low |
Prophylactic CPAP vs very early CPAP Combined outcome of death and bronchopulmonary dysplasia · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Prophylactic CPAP vs very early CPAP Pulmonary air leak · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 72 participants | Ungraded |
Prophylactic or very early CPAP vs supportive care Bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks defined as oxygen dependency at 36 weeks postmenstrual age · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.76 [0.51, 1.14] | 3 studies · 683 participants | Moderate |
Prophylactic CPAP vs very early CPAP Intraventricular haemorrhage grade 3 or 4 · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Prophylactic CPAP vs very early CPAP Neurodevelopmental impairment · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Prophylactic or very early CPAP vs supportive care Death at any time · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 1.04 [0.56, 1.93] | 4 studies · 765 participants | Moderate |
Prophylactic or very early CPAP vs supportive care Combined outcome of death and bronchopulmonary dysplasia defined as death at any time or oxygen dependency at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.69 [0.4, 1.19] | 1 study · 256 participants | Low |
Prophylactic or very early CPAP vs supportive care Pulmonary air leak defined as pneumothorax · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.75 [0.35, 1.16] | 3 studies · 568 participants | Low |
Prophylactic or very early CPAP vs supportive care Intraventricular haemorrhage grade 3 or 4 · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.96 [0.39, 2.37] | 2 studies · 486 participants | Low |
Prophylactic or very early CPAP vs supportive care Neurodevelopmental impairment · preterm infants Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Prophylactic CPAP vs mechanical ventilation Bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks defined as oxygen dependency at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age · preterm infants < 37 weeks Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.8, 0.99] | 3 studies · 2150 participants | Moderate |
Prophylactic CPAP vs mechanical ventilation Death Death at any time · preterm infants < 37 weeks Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane | RR 0.82 [0.66, 1.03] | 3 studies · 2358 participants | Moderate |
Continuous vs intermittent bolus (nasogastric and orogastric tube) milk feeding ‐ all preterm infants less than 1500 grams Age at full enteral feedings (days) · preterm infants less than 1500 grams Continuous nasogastric milk feeding versus intermittent bolus milk feeding for preterm infants less than… (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 7 studies · 628 participants | Low |
Continuous vs intermittent bolus (nasogastric and orogastric tube) milk feeding ‐ all preterm infants less than 1500 grams Feeding intolerance: number of days of feeding interruptions · preterm infants less than 1500 grams Continuous nasogastric milk feeding versus intermittent bolus milk feeding for preterm infants less than… (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 171 participants | Very low |
Continuous vs intermittent bolus (nasogastric and orogastric tube) milk feeding ‐ all preterm infants less than 1500 grams Days to regain birth weight · preterm infants less than 1500 grams Continuous nasogastric milk feeding versus intermittent bolus milk feeding for preterm infants less than… (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 6 studies · 610 participants | Low |
Continuous vs intermittent bolus (nasogastric and orogastric tube) milk feeding ‐ all preterm infants less than 1500 grams End of intervention: rate of gain in weight · preterm infants less than 1500 grams Continuous nasogastric milk feeding versus intermittent bolus milk feeding for preterm infants less than… (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 433 participants | Very low |
Continuous vs intermittent bolus (nasogastric and orogastric tube) milk feeding ‐ all preterm infants less than 1500 grams End of intervention: rate of gain in length (cm/week) · preterm infants less than 1500 grams Continuous nasogastric milk feeding versus intermittent bolus milk feeding for preterm infants less than… (2021) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 433 participants | Low |