Nine RCTs (n=566) were included.
In terms of study quality, 5 RCTs clearly reported double-blinding.
PDA closure (9 RCTs).
There was no significant difference between IBU and INDO for PDA closure (RR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.94, 1.10, P=0.70). No significant statistical heterogeneity was found (P=0.96).
Renal function (5 RCTs, n=443).
Serum creatinine levels were significantly lower with IBU than with INDO (WMD 0.44, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.63, P<0.001). No significant statistical heterogeneity was found (P=0.90). The decrease in urine output was significantly lower with IBU than with INDO (WMD 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.94, P<0.001). Significant statistical heterogeneity was found (P<=0.02).
Oxygen.
A significantly higher proportion of infants required oxygen therapy postnatally at 28 weeks with IBU compared with INDO, but this was based on data from only 2 RCTs (n=188), (RR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.86, P<=0.04). No significant statistical heterogeneity was found (P=0.84).
IVH (3 RCTs, n=267).
The risk of IVH was slightly but not statistically significantly higher with INDO compared with IBU (RR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.45, 1.20, P=0.22). No significant statistical heterogeneity was found (P=0.97).
There were no significant differences between IBU and INDO for other outcomes; these results were reported.