Randomisation and blinding
SECONDARY
Randomisation by a member of the research team took place once assent was obtained; feeding commenced as soon as possible after randomisation (according to standard clinical timing). An independent remote electronic web-based random allocation service was used to generate an unpredictable treatment group allocation and to conceal that outcome from the members of the research team until assignment occurred. Investigators performing muscle ultrasound undertook inter-observer variability assessments after training and prior to the trial commencing. All images taken during the trial were allocated an anonymised code. The off-site investigator (DB) analysing the muscle ultrasound scans was blinded to the feeding regimen allocation until post-analysis. Likewise, the majority of secondary outcomes (e.g., length of stays and days of ventilation) were collected from paper or electronic systems not susceptible to bias.