Blinding
All drugs were constituted and dispensed by a research assistant from the research unit of the
pharmacy department of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in sterile syringes for immediate administration. All drugs were exactly the same in appearance and volume. The principal investigator, research assistants and special care baby unit/neonatal intensive care unit staff were not aware of the group the women and neonates belonged to because all drugs appeared exactly the same at point of administration.