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 9 Association between sponsor and clinical outcomes: stool characteristics

Stool characteristics	Source of funding	Positive*	Negative*	Neutral*	Chi-square p value	Fisher’s exact p value
Stool characteristics	Source of funding	n (%)^$$	n (%)^$$	n (%)^$$	Chi-square p value	Fisher’s exact p value
Stool Frequency N = 37	Industry	7 (18.9)		22 (59.5)	0.501	0.540
	None/Not clear	3 (8.1)		4 (10.8)
	Non industry			1 (2.7)
Stool Consistency n =37	Industry	14 (37.8)		15 (40.5)	0.562	1.00
	None/Not clear	4 (10.8)		3 (8.1)
	Non industry			1 (2.7)
Stool pH N =13	Industry	7 (53.8)		2 (15.4)	0.305	1.00
	None/Not clear	4 (30.8)
	Non industry
Stool Short Chain Fatty Acids N = 9	Industry	2 (22.2)		4 (44.4)	0.687	1.00
	None / Not clear	1 (11.1)		1 (11.1)
	Non industry			1 (11.1)
Flatulence / Gas N = 16	Industry			15 (93.8)	Not valid
	None/Not clear			1 (6.3)
	Non industry			0
Diarrhoea, Diarrhoea episodes N = 19	Industry	3 (15.8)	1 (5.3)	10 (52.6)	0.771	1.00
	None/Not clear			2 (10.5)
	Non industry			3 (15.8)
Constipation N = 3	Industry	1 (33.3)		1 (33.3)	0.386	1.00
Constipation N = 3	None/Not clear			1 (33.3)
	Non industry			0

^$$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