Genetic studies of NEC concern several candidate genes or factors such as TLR, single immunoglobulin and toll-interleukin 1 receptor (SIGIRR), nucleotide binding oligomerization domain containing protein 2 (NOD2), autophagy-related 16-Like 1 (ATG16L1), mannose binding lectin (MBL), platelet activating factor (PAF), nuclear factor-kappa B, pro-inflammatory cytokines, fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), arginine and nitric oxide, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) (9). Here, ATG16L1 is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis.