The biomarker IL-8 has previously been described to be higher in infants with proven late-onset sepsis.50 A sustained inflammatory condition in preterm infants has been associated with elevated levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα.45 Our results support this finding as infants who developed sepsis demonstrated higher levels of not only IL8, but also TGFα, HGF, TNFSF14 and CCL20 in plasma week 4. The gene discussed is HGF; the disease is Sepsis.