Indeed, brief periods of formula feeding have been associated with an increased risk of NEC, when compared to infants receiving exclusive POM.167 These brief periods without POM EGF may induce GAP formation, luminal antigen exposure among colon and small intestine lamina propria immune cells, and inflammatory responses, potentially explaining the increased risk of NEC associated with brief periods of neonatal formula feeding. Here, EGF is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis.