Irrespective of the absence of significant statistical differences among the subgroups, the presence of strong intra-amniotic inflammation (the median IL-6 levels in the amniotic fluid of the subgroup with intra-amniotic infection was 50,000 pg/ml) might have affected fetal growth when compared to the presence of weak intra-amniotic inflammation (the median IL-6 levels in the amniotic fluid of the subgroup with sterile intra-amniotic inflammation was 8,268 pg/ml) or the absence of these conditions. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and inflammatory response.