We found that a longer time for nasogastric suction (6 d vs. 2 d, P = 0.04), abnormal WBC count (<5 × 109/L or >20 × 109/L, 40% vs. 10.2%, P = 0.02) and elevated CRP post NEC diagnosis (80% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.0001) occurred more often in newborns with NEC that progressed to Bell’s stage III than those without. Here, CRP is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis.