Our findings are in line with other studies on cytokines, showing regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory, and repair-associated proteins in NEC infants, including IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF, ENA-78, matrix metalloprotease-9, GRO, MCP-1 and IGF-1 [4]–[7], [12]–[15]. Here, CXCL8 is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis.