Early lactase enzyme supplementation: Efficacy to promote growth and feeding tolerance in preterm infants: A randomized controlled trial

Table 1 Clinical and demographic characteristics between the studied groups, n (%)/mean ± SD

Variable	Intervention group (n = 55)	Control group (n = 54)	P value
Male gender	26 (47.3)	27 (50.0)	0.4629
GA (weeks)	31.5 ± 1.84	31.5 ± 1.57	0.976
Birth weight (kg)	1.5 ± 0.289	1.51 ± 0.343	0.855
Mode of delivery (CS)	45 (81.8)	39 (72.2)	0.2616
PROM incidence	15 (27.3)	12 (22.2)	0.6582
Admission diagnosis
RDS	47 (85.4)	41 (75.9)
PH	6 (11)	9 (16.7)	0.204
IUGR	1 (1.8)	0 (0)
HDFN	0 (0)	3 (5.5)
HIE	1 (1.8)	1 (1.9)
Feeding type
Exclusive breast milk	2 (3.6)	1 (1.9)	0.3623
PT formula	46 (83.6)	38 (70.4)
Breast and PT formula	5 (9.0)	11 (20.4)
AR	2 (3.6)	4 (7.4)
History of maternal comorbidity	16 (29)	23 (42.5)	0.141

GA: Gestational age; CS: Cesarean section; PROM: Premature rupture of membranes; RDS: Respiratory distress syndrome; PH: Pulmonary hypertension; IUGR: Intrauterine growth retardation; HDFN: Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn; HIE: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy; PT: Preterm; AR: Anti-regurgitation.