The AUC for proteins increased in the serum of patients with NEC relative to controls were as follows: CCL16 (AUC = 0.744, 95% CI = 0.535–0.953), CXCL6 (AUC = 0.802, 95% CI = 0.587–0.966) and IGHA1 IGHA2 (AUC = 0.826, 95% CI = 0.630–1.00). The gene discussed is CXCL6; the disease is necrotizing enterocolitis.