Musilova I, et al. - The purpose of this trial was to characterize the impact of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and/or intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI) on the intensity of the fetal inflammatory response and the link between the presence of the fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) and short-term neonatal morbidity, in the preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) between the gestational ages of 34 and 37 weeks. The findings shed light on the correlation between the presence of both MIAC and IAI with a higher fetal inflammatory response and a higher rate of FIRS. Varied aspects of short-term neonatal morbidity disclosed a link with FIRS when defined by umbilical cord blood IL-6 concentrations and the histopathology of the placenta.