| Abstract | Background: The nurse is one of the professionals responsible for the care directed toward the physical, mental and social development of newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Early identification of developing NEC in premature infants is essential to reduce the devastating effects of the disease. Methodology: a descriptive design was utilized. The aim of the study was to assess the nurses’ knowledge about necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants in neonatal intensive care units and designing a protocol of care. All nurses working at neonatal intensive care units of Cairo University Hospitals were included. Data collected by a structured questionnaire tool to answer the research question “what is the nurses’ knowledge about necrotizing enterocolitis?” Tool was divided into two parts: Socio-demographic data and questions about definition, incidence, causes, manifestations, diagnosis, complications, and nursing management of necrotizing enterocolitis. Score of one was given for each correct answer and a score of zero for incorrect or don’t know. Results: the present study results revealed that the highest percentage of nurses, their age was ranged between twenty to twenty five years. The highest percentages of nurses were females. Regarding to educational level it was found that the highest percentage had secondary nursing diploma, and had seven years and more experience in neonatal intensive care units. The highest percentage of nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge about necrotizing enterocolitis. There was a statistical significant relation between nurses’ knowledge and their educational level. Based on the nurses’ assessment of knowledge a protocol of care for neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis was designed. Recommendation: the study recommends applying the designed protocol about necrotizing enterocolitis in neonatal intensive care units. |