The present study demonstrated that the serum levels of HMGB1 increases in neonatal NEC patients, and are correlated with the serum levels of I-FABP, IL-1β and IL-6, as well as the patient’s prognosis, indicating that HMGB1 might be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for NEC patients. Here, IL6 is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis.