In a neonatal rat model of NEC, EGF supplementation of rat milk substitute (RMS) decreased NEC incidence, decreased histologic NEC severity, reduced the ileal production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL18, and increased the production of interleukin (IL)-10 and of its transcription factor, Sp1, when compared with RMS alone [52]. This evidence concerns the gene IL18 and necrotizing enterocolitis.