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

Table 5 Reducing substance (Benedict’s test) in stool at the 1^st and 2^nd week between the studied groups, and in-group comparison, n (%)

Variable	Intervention group (n = 55)	Control group (n = 54)	P value
Reducing substance in stool at 1st week
Negative	22 (40.0)	12 (22.2)	0.01185
Trace (< 500 mg/dL)	5 (9.1)	7 (13.0)
+ (500-1000 mg/dL)	26 (47.3)	23 (42.6)
++ (1000-1500 mg/dL)	2 (3.6)	11 (20.4)
+++ (1500-2000 mg/dL)	0 (0.0)	1 (1.9)
Reducing substance in stool at 2nd week
Negative	38 (69.1)	7 (13.0)	< 0.001
Trace (< 500 mg/dL)	5 (9.1)	3 (5.6)
+ (500-1000 mg/dL)	10 (18.2)	23 (42.6)
++ (1000-1500 mg/dL)	2 (3.6)	18 (33.3)
+++ (1500-2000 mg/dL)	0 (0.0)	3 (5.6)
In-group comparison	P < 0.001	P = 0.2274

Benedict’s test interpretation: Negative: Blue solution; Trace: Green solution; +: Green ppt; ++: Yellow ppt; +++: Orange ppt.