Values of reducing substances in the stools of premature infants.

The increased incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis among newborn infants has prompted research to discover tools for early diagnosis of the disease. Previous studies have shown that elevated levels of fecal reducing sugars precede the symptoms of the disease. The study attempted to establish the relationship between the type of milk feeding and the levels of reducing sugars in stools of premature newborn infants. Thirty-four premature newborn infants were fed either a commercially prepared 20-calorie formula (Enfamil or Similac) or breast milk. Fecal reducing substances were measured with Clinitest tablets. The values were compared using Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Reducing sugars of 1% (3+) or greater appeared more frequently in the stools of the breast-fed infants. There appeared to be a relationship between the type of milk feeding and the level of fecal reducing substances. A cause-effect relationship between the type of milk feeding and the level of fecal reducing substances was not established.