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. 2013 Dec 24;13:215. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-13-215

Table 4.

Formula intake, human milk intake, gastrointestinal tolerance, and stool characteristics*

 
Metabolic period
Tolerance period
Variables
PALM
NoPALM
PALM
NoPALM
  (n = 17)** (n = 17) (n = 16) (n = 17)
Average study formula intake, mL/kg/d
113 ± 20
114 ± 19
99 ± 31
103 ± 33
Average human milk intake, g/kg/d
0 ± 0
0 ± 0
94 ± 36 (n = 15)
81 ± 29 (n = 12)
Average numbers of feedings, #/d
6.3 ± 0.2
6.2 ± 0.1
4.6 ± 0.6
5.4 ± 0.9d
Spit-up/vomit, % of feedings
4.0 ± 4.8
3.5 ± 4.7
12.8 ± 25.5
13.9 ± 21.4
Stool frequency, # stools/d
3.4 ± 0.7
2.9 ± 0.9a
1.7 ± 0.6
1.9 ± 0.7
Mean rank stool consistency score (MRSC)
2.4 ± 0.3
3.0 ± 0.5b
3.3 ± 0.5
3.5 ± 0.6
Stool consistency, % of stools
 
 
 
 
Watery
0 ± 0
0.5 ± 2
27.5 ± 19
26.9 ± 19.9
Loose/mushy
1.2 ± 3.5
19.2 ± 21.6c
19.1 ± 17.2
38.2 ± 14.2e
Soft
39.7 ± 26.5
58.9 ± 30.8
43.7 ± 18.9
32.6 ± 23.8
Formed
59.1 ± 25.7
21.4 ± 35.8a
21.6 ± 12.5
20.7 ± 16.3
Hard
0 ± 0
0 ± 0
10.8 ± 4.9
0 ± 0
Total stool production, g/kg/day
5.2 ± 2.3
4.2 ± 2.7
 
 
Stool moisture content, % 82.8 ± 2.6 84.8 ± 6.5    

*Values are means ± SD.

**Sample sizes (n) for each column are in parenthesis except where noted to be different.

MRSC score: 5 = watery, 4 = loose/mushy, 3 = soft, 2 = formed, 1 = hard (higher is softer).

a = p <0.036; b = p = 0.001; c = Significant carryover effect (p = 0.077) Period I only, PALM = 0.9 ± 2.8 & NoPALM = 8.3 ± 11.7 (NS at p = 0.122); d = p = 0.005; e = p = 0.002.