We found that CpG sites within CGIs whose methylation levels were significantly altered in NEC versus non-NEC ileum samples were in genes that were enriched in pathways including “Adipogenesis pathway” (p = 9.41 × 10−6), “CREB Signaling in Neurons” (p = 4.25 × 10−5) and “1D-myo-inositol Hexakisphosphate Biosynthesis II” (p = 4.41 × 10−5) (Additional file 1: Figure S3 and Additional file 2: Table S5A). The gene discussed is CREB1; the disease is necrotizing enterocolitis.