Proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, and IL-1ra are closely related to NEC, and they can directly or indirectly impact target cells simultaneously or one after another to form a cytokine network. Here, CXCL8 is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis.