LTF and necrotizing enterocolitis: In the present study, we found that the rate of NEC was more among infants who did not receive probiotics and lactoferrin (8.2% 17.3%) and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.023); however, there were no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the stages of NEC (p = 0.15) and the age when NEC was diagnosed (23.82 ± 13.2 days vs 19.2 ± 12.7 days; p = 0.32) (Table 2).