Nutrition in a seriously ill neonate may determine whether or not the infant survives. Nutramigen offers a theoretical feeding advantage in that formula is partially digested so that the work of digestion is lessened. Nutramigen substitutes sucrose for lactose, a solution of amino acids for milk protein, and corn oils for butterfat. It also offers essential vitamins and minerals. Many physicians use this preparation as a food for seriously ill infants and a transitional feeding following diarrhea. It is also used for feeding in milk allergy and in galactosemia. We have noted a puzzling syndrome in some seriously ill neonates over the past several years.