AF-MMP-9 (p = 0.006), MPO (p = 0.011), HNE (p = 0.034), and MMP-8/TIMP-1 molar ratio (p = 0.034) were associated with blood culture positive neonatal sepsis when the data were adjusted by gestational age at delivery (data not shown). The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is atrial fibrillation.