Progestogen-treated neonates had a significantly lower composite neonatal morbidity ( 19.1 % ) compared with placebo ( 30.9 % ) ( odds ratio , OR 0.53 ; 95 % CI 0.31-0 .90 ; P = 0.02 ) , with significantly lower odds for respiratory distress syndrome ( 14.4 versus 23.4 % ; OR 0.55 ; 95 % CI 0.31-0 .98 ; P = 0.04 ) , retinopathy of prematurity ( 1.1 versus 4.6 % ; OR 0.21 ; 95 % CI 0.05-0 .96 ; P = 0.04 ) , and culture-confirmed sepsis ( 3.4 versus 12.8 % ; OR 0.24 ; 95 % CI 0.10-0 .57 ; P = 0.00 ) .