Association between funding source, methodological quality and research outcomes in randomized controlled trials of synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics added to infant formula: A Systematic Review

Table 8 Association between Sponsor and clinical outcomes: Tolerance symptoms

Tolerance	Source of funding	Positive*	Negative*	Neutral*	Chi-square p value	Fisher’s exact p value
Tolerance	Source of funding	n (%)^$$	n (%)^$$	n (%)^$$	Chi-square p value	Fisher’s exact p value
Colic N = 13	Industry	1 (7.7)		11 (84.6)	0.764	1.00
	None/Not clear
	Non industry			1 (7.7)
Spitting up/Regurgitation N = 26	Industry	2 (7.7)	1 (3.8)	17 (65.4)	0.907	1.00
	None/Not clear			4 (15.4)
	Non industry			2 (7.7)
Vomiting N = 31	Industry	1 (3.2)		23 (74.2)	0.860	1.00
	None/Not clear			5 (16.1)
	Non industry			2 (6.5)
Crying fussiness N =22	Industry	3 (13.6)	1 (4.5)	14 (63.6)	0.581	1.00
	None/Not clear			4 (18.2)
	Non industry			0
Gastric residuals, Abdominal distension N = 5	Industry			1 (20)	0.659	1.00
	None/Not clear			1 (20)
	Non industry	1 (6.7)		2 (40)
Volume of formula consumed/daily intake N = 31	Industry	3 (9.7)	1 (3.2)	18 (58.1)	0.758	1.00
	None/Not clear			4 (12.9)
	Non industry			5 (16.1)
Days to full enteral feeding N = 9	Industry			4 (44.4)	0.325	0.444
	None/Not clear	1 (11.1)		1 (11.1)
	Non industry	1 (11.1)		2 (22.2)

^$$Overall percentage.
*Positive: synbiotic, probiotic or prebiotic supplementation had a statistically significant effect, p < 0.05. There were significant differences between study groups (in favour of experimental group).
*Neutral: synbiotic, probiotic or prebiotic supplementation did not have a statistically significant effect, p > 0.05, No significant differences between study groups.
*Negative: synbiotic, probiotic or prebiotic supplementation had a statistically significant increase in an adverse event / negative outcome, p < 0.05.

ISSN: 1471-2288