Subjects characteristics, stratified by sex and chorioamnionitis.

PROM (Premature Rupture of Membranes >18 h), SGA (Small-for-gestational-age), RDS (Respiratory Distress Syndrome), PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus). Values expressed as number (%) or median(range). *p<0.05; **p<0.01; for Mann-Whitney Test for continuous variables and for Pearson Chi-square for qualitative variables between male versus female preterm infants and between None versus HCA Grade 1 and HCA Grade 2 combined. #p<0.05; ##p<0.01; for Jonckheere–Terpstra trend test for continuous variables and for Pearson Chi-square for qualitative variables between None, HCA Grade 1 and HCA Grade 2.