A panel consisting of A2ML1, CD14, CST3, PEDF, RET4, and VASN produced an area under the curve (AUC) of 98.4% for distinguishing medical and surgical NEC, and a panel consisting of CST3, PEDF, and RET4 produced an AUC of 98.2% for distinguishing NEC from sepsis. The gene discussed is SERPINF1; the disease is necrotizing enterocolitis.