NEC-associated systemic inflammation includes changes in blood cell composition, such as leukopenia, monocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and/or suppression of erythropoiesis, (3) and in plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) (4) and multiple immune-related proteins, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and serum amyloid-A (SAA). Here, CRP is linked to Decreased total monocyte count.