Studies have also confirmed that the concentrations of IL-6 in cord blood from cases of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) are significantly increased; these high levels of IL-6 mediate a strong inflammatory response, stimulate the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and play a key role in fetal membrane damage and rupture (17, 18). Here, IL6 is linked to spontaneous preterm birth.