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Table 2 Characteristics of sample size calculations of the 71 included trials (70 papers)

From: Sample size calculations in pediatric clinical trials conducted in an ICU: a systematic review

Characteristic

N(%)

Type of primary outcome

 

 Dichotomous

30 (42)

 Continuous

39 (55)

 Unclear

2 (3)

A priori sample size calculation

 

 At least power reported

49 (69)

  → Of these

 

    NP reported

35 (71)

 NP reported as proportion of total

35 (49)

 No report of a priori sample size calculation

22 (31)

Information source of NP assumption

 

  → Of the 49 trials that report at least power

 

    Literature

21 (43)

    Own experience

9 (18)

    Pilot study

6 (12)

    Not reported

13 (27)

  → Of the 35 trials that report an assumed NP value

 

    Literature

14 (40)

    Own experience

8 (23)

    Pilot study

6 (17)

    Not reported

7 (20)