Aim: To determine the frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants

Place and duration of study: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study in Pediatric Medicine Department, Nishtar Hospital Multan from March, 2021 to August, 2021

Methodology: The preterm neonates were called for follow up every week for 4 weeks to diagnose Necrotizing enterocolitis.

Results; Out of 174 cases, 101 (58%) were males while 73 (42%) were females. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was noted in 61 (35.1%) while NEC in breastfeeding infants was 14/74 (18.9%) and in formula feeding infants NEC was 47/100 (47%).

Conclusion; High frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis was observed in this study among formula fed preterm infants as compared to breastfed preterm infants.

Keywords; Breastfeeding, formula feeding, Necrotizing enterocolitis