Introduction: In the present study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of the maternal and infantile factors and factors associated with the care of the infants in the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Materials and Method: Infants with ≤32 weeks of gestational age and ≤1500 grams of birth weight were included in the study. Maternal demographic characteristics and pregnancy history, antenatal and postnatal follow-up problems, antenatal steroid treatment, modes of delivery (NVY, C/S), and the babies’ birth history were recorded. The duration of ventilation treatment and the number of transfusions applied before the diagnosis of NEC in premature infants were recorded. Patients with stage II and stage III NEC were included in the study.Results: Sixty one of 532 patients (11,4%) were diagnosed as NEC and allocated in the study group. Sixty patients were enrolled as the control group. There were no differences between both groups with respect to demographic characteristics, APGAR score, need for resuscitation and antenatal steroid treatment. The duration of ventilation treatment (p=0.037) and the frequency of red blood cell transfusion (p=0.032) were considered to be higher in the NEC group. Antenatal steroid administration was higher in patients with stage 2 NEC (p=0.011), but the duration of ventilation treatment was higher in those with stage 3 (p=0.020). The mortality rate was 31.1% in the patients with NEC. It was observed that 83% of patients who died had stage 3 NEC and a lower birth weight and gestational age. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (p=0.02), togetherness of RDS and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were higher in the NEC group (p=0.03), and more intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) was detected at stage 3 NEC (p=0.034). RDS, PDA and İCH were frequently determined together in patients with stage 3 NEC (p=0.006). Chronic hypertension (p=0.003), eclampsia (p=0.034), and infection (p=0.011) were found to be more frequent in the mother of the patients with stage 3 NEC. Conclusion: In the present study, antenatal, natal and postnatal factors were shown to play an important role in the development of NEC, and if proposed measures to be taken, these factors may reduce the incidence of the disease. (Journal of Current Pediatrics 2011; 9: 7-13)