Gap finder

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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

2,353 questions in 210 reviews · Neonatal

current versions
No 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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Short feeding interval vs long feeding interval
Necrotising enterocolitis · preterm infants < 1500 g
Short versus long feeding interval for bolus feedings in very preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.07 [0.54, 2.11]4 studies · 417 participantsLow
Short feeding interval vs long feeding interval
Growth during hospital stay (weight gain in g/kg/day) · preterm infants < 1500 g
Short versus long feeding interval for bolus feedings in very preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
High vs standard volume of fortified human milk or preterm formula
Weight gain during hospital stay (g/kg/day) · preterm or low birth weight infants
High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 271 participantsModerate
High vs standard volume of unfortified human milk or term formula
Necrotising enterocolitis · preterm or low birth weight infants
High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.07, 15.78]1 study · 61 participantsVery low
High vs standard volume of fortified human milk or preterm formula
Linear growth during hospital stay (cm/week) · preterm or low birth weight infants
High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 271 participantsLow
High vs standard volume of fortified human milk or preterm formula
Head growth during hospital stay (cm/week) · preterm or low birth weight infants
High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 271 participantsLow
High vs standard volume of fortified human milk or preterm formula
Extrauterine growth restriction at discharge · preterm or low birth weight infants
High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.71 [0.5, 1.02]2 studies · 271 participantsLow
High vs standard volume of fortified human milk or preterm formula
Necrotising enterocolitis · preterm or low birth weight infants
High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.74 [0.12, 4.51]2 studies · 283 participantsVery low
High vs standard volume of unfortified human milk or term formula
Weight gain during hospital stay (g/kg/day) · preterm or low birth weight infants
High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 61 participantsModerate
High vs standard volume of unfortified human milk or term formula
Linear growth (cm/week) · preterm or low birth weight infants
High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
High vs standard volume of unfortified human milk or term formula
Head growth (cm/week) · preterm or low birth weight infants
High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
High vs standard volume of unfortified human milk or term formula
Extrauterine growth restriction at discharge · preterm or low birth weight infants
High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
Tracheal suction vs no tracheal suction
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) · non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid
Tracheal suction at birth in non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1 [0.8, 1.25]4 studies · 581 participantsVery low
Tracheal suction vs no tracheal suction
All‐cause neonatal mortality · non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid
Tracheal suction at birth in non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.24 [0.76, 2.02]4 studies · 575 participantsVery low
Tracheal suction vs no tracheal suction
Moderate to severe hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) · non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid
Tracheal suction at birth in non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.68 [0.43, 1.09]1 study · 152 participantsVery low
Tracheal suction vs no tracheal suction
Any hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) · non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid
Tracheal suction at birth in non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.05 [0.68, 1.63]1 study · 175 participantsVery low
Tracheal suction vs no tracheal suction
Need for mechanical ventilation · non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid
Tracheal suction at birth in non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.99 [0.68, 1.44]4 studies · 581 participantsVery low
Tracheal suction vs no tracheal suction
Pulmonary air leaks (PAL) · non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid
Tracheal suction at birth in non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.22 [0.38, 3.93]3 studies · 449 participantsVery low
Tracheal suction vs no tracheal suction
Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) · non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid
Tracheal suction at birth in non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.29 [0.6, 2.77]3 studies · 406 participantsVery low
Tracheal suction vs no tracheal suction
Culture‐positive sepsis · non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid
Tracheal suction at birth in non‐vigorous neonates born through meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.32 [0.48, 3.57]3 studies · 406 participantsVery low
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
Death or BPD at 36 weeks PMA · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.02 [0.56, 1.85]1 study · 271 participantsVery low
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
BPD, defined as supplemental oxygen use at 28 days of age ‐ not measured · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
BPD, defined as supplemental oxygen or positive pressure support use at 36 weeks' PMA · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.87 [0.51, 1.49]1 study · 93 participantsVery low
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
Treatment failure or need for mechanical ventilation · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.52 [0.92, 2.5]2 studies · 117 participantsVery low
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
Mortality, by hospital discharge · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.04 [0.51, 2.12]1 study · 271 participantsVery low
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
Moderate‐severe neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 to 26 months ‐ not measured · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
BPD, defined as supplemental oxygen use at 28 days of age · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.1 [0.56, 2.17]1 study · 271 participantsVery low
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
BPD, defined as supplemental oxygen or positive pressure support use at 36 weeks PMA · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.8 [0.25, 2.57]1 study · 271 participantsVery low
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
Treatment failure or need for mechanical ventilation · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1 [0.63, 1.57]1 study · 271 participantsVery low
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
Death or BPD at 36 weeks' PMA · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.87 [0.51, 1.49]1 study · 93 participantsVery low
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
Mortality, by hospital discharge · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
RR 2.94 [0.12, 70.3]1 study · 93 participantsVery low
Summary of Findings Table ‐ Low vs moderate‐high nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels
Moderate‐severe neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 to 26 months ‐ not measured · health problem or population
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm… (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Enteral zinc supplementation vs no zinc supplementation
All‐cause mortality (between start of intervention and end of · preterm infants
Enteral zinc supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.55 [0.31, 0.97]3 studies · 345 participantsLow
Enteral zinc supplementation vs no zinc supplementation
Neurodevelopmental disability at 18 to 24 months · preterm infants
Enteral zinc supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 participantsUngraded
Enteral zinc supplementation vs no zinc supplementation
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia · preterm infants
Enteral zinc supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.66 [0.31, 1.4]1 study · 193 participantsLow
Enteral zinc supplementation vs no zinc supplementation
Retinopathy of prematurity · preterm infants
Enteral zinc supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.14 [0.01, 2.7]1 study · 193 participantsLow
Enteral zinc supplementation vs no zinc supplementation
Bacterial sepsis · preterm infants
Enteral zinc supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.11 [0.6, 2.04]2 studies · 293 participantsModerate
Enteral zinc supplementation vs no zinc supplementation
Necrotising enterocolitis · preterm infants
Enteral zinc supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.08 [0, 1.33]1 study · 193 participantsLow
Enteral zinc supplementation vs no zinc supplementation
Change in growth (between start and end of intervention, between 6 weeks to 6 months) · preterm infants
Enteral zinc supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Indomethacin vs placebo or control
Failure of PDA closure within 1 week of administration of the first dose of indomethacin · symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants
Indomethacin for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.3 [0.23, 0.38]10 studies · 654 participantsHigh
Indomethacin vs placebo or control
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 28 days · symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants
Indomethacin for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.45 [0.6, 3.51]1 study · 55 participantsLow
Indomethacin vs placebo or control
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks' gestation · symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants
Indomethacin for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.8 [0.41, 1.55]1 study · 92 participantsLow
Indomethacin vs placebo or control
All‐cause neonatal mortality before hospital discharge · symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants
Indomethacin for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.78 [0.46, 1.33]8 studies · 314 participantsModerate
Indomethacin vs placebo or control
Proportion of infants requiring surgical ligation of PDA · symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants
Indomethacin for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.66 [0.33, 1.29]7 studies · 275 participantsModerate
Indomethacin vs placebo or control
NEC (≥ Bell stage 2) · symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants
Indomethacin for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1.27 [0.36, 4.55]2 studies · 147 participantsLow
Indomethacin vs placebo or control
Mucocutaneous or gastrointestinal bleeding · symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants
Indomethacin for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants (2021) · Cochrane
RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.58]2 studies · 119 participantsLow
Sunlight (with or without filters or amplification) vs no treatment
Outcomesa · term and late preterm neonates
Sunlight for the prevention and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Sunlight (with or without filters or amplification) vs other sources of phototherapy
Use of conventional phototherapy, if sunlight (with or without filters or amplification) was first used for prevention or early treatmentc · infants with confirmed hyperbilirubinemia
Sunlight for the prevention and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Sunlight (with or without filters or amplification) vs other sources of phototherapy
Treatment failure requiring exchange transfusionc,d · infants with confirmed hyperbilirubinemia
Sunlight for the prevention and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
RR 1 [0.06, 15.73]2 studies · 621 participantsLow
Sunlight (with or without filters or amplification) vs other sources of phototherapy
Acute bilirubin encephalopathyc,f · infants with confirmed hyperbilirubinemia
Sunlight for the prevention and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm neonates (2021) · Cochrane
RR 01 study · 174 participantsLow