The AUC for proteins decreased in the serum of patients with NEC relative to controls were: AFP (AUC = 0.926, 95% CI = 0.813–1.00), MMP13 (AUC = 0.777, 95% CI = 0.574–0.980), FTCD (AUC = 0.793, 95% CI = 0.589–0.997), MICA (AUC = 0.802, 95% CI = 0.611–0.992), EFNA3 (AUC = 0.785, 95% CI = 0.589–0.981), GCG (AUC = 0.860, 95% CI = 0.6994–1.00), COLEC12 (AUC = 0.826, 95% CI = 0.650–1.00), and CGA CGB (AUC = 0.752, 95% CI = 0.539–0.966). The gene discussed is EFNA3; the disease is necrotizing enterocolitis.