Infant Formula Feeding and Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Newborns

NEC affects between 2 to 7% of premature infants. It is is an acquired disease, caused, in part by inflammation of the intestinal lining. NEC is the most common life-threatening gastrointestinal emergency of prematurity and it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Studies have linked the consumption of non-breast milk, commercial infant formula (made from cow's milk) or formula-derived nutrition with increased risk of NEC compared to consumption of human breast milk. The mechanism of the NEC lesions appears to involve factors including allergic reaction to the infant formulas containing cow's milk, immaturity of the intestinal barrier and the immune system, microvascular imbalance, disturbed gut flora and systemic inflammation that is hypothesized to be exacerbated by infant formula consumption. The primary goal of this National observational study is to gather survey data in order to establish a database of NEC in newborns to gain a better understanding of the risk factors underlying NEC. Survey data will be used along with a medical history to identify the mechanism(s) underlying the increased prevalence of NEC in non-breast fed, formula fed premature infants.