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Abstract Enteral feeding is the prioritized method of administrating nutrients in high-risk neonates. The current study aims to assess nurses’ knowledge & practices toward enteral feeding and its effect on selected high-risk neonates’ outcomes. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive exploratory research design was conducted in Neonatal intensive care units at Beni-Suef University and general Hospitals in Beni-Suef governorate, Egypt. A purposeful sample of neonatal nurses (70 nurses) responsible for providing direct care for high-risk neonates at Beni-Suef University and general hospitals and 60 high-risk neonates were utilized in this study. Three data collection tools were utilized in this study: Tool I: Nurses’ knowledge questionnaire, Tool II: Nurses practice checklist, and Tool III: neonatal outcomes. Results: nearly two-thirds and nearly half of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge and practice regarding enteral feeding of high-risk neonates respectively. Also, moderate effect between the acute increase of abdominal girth after 2 hours on the 3rd day of the study with nurses’ knowledge and practice toward enteral feeding of high-risk neonates and hospital duration of high-risk neonates on the 3rd and 4th days of the study with nurses’ practice. Conclusion: Nurses’ knowledge and practices about enteral feeding of high-risk neonates had a moderate effect on the acute increase of abdominal girth after 2 hours on the 3rd day. Recommendations: Periodically implementing a health education training program toward enteral feeding high-risk neonates to enhance their knowledge and practices and reduce the effects on high-risk neonates’ outcomes. |