20 preterm neonates (24–35 weeks gestation); with sepsis (n = 5), NEC (n = 10) and controls (n = 5).Sepsis•Positive blood culture•Absence of uniform serum CRP elevationNEC•Pneumatosis intestinale in pathognomonic abdominal radiographic resultControls•Absence of sepsis and NEC. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is Sepsis.