Stool sampling and analyses
STERILE, -20
Parents/caregivers were asked to collect stool samples from their child’s diaper on three different days, place these samples in a sterile plastic container, keep them at -20 °C, and bring them to the last visit on day 8. At the site, samples were stored at -20 °C and transported to the laboratory where they were stored at -80 °C until further analysis. Fecal samples were thawed at room temperature and homogenized for analyses. Standard pH strips (Merck-Milipore) were used to measure pH of diluted (1:10, sterile water) samples. Dry matter content was measured by lyophilizing a 100–200 mg aliquot for 24 h and weighing it. Levels of fecal calprotectin, an inflammatory marker [