CXCL8 and autism: The results represent persistent microglial activation during the critical second trimester, leading not only to predominantly white matter injury but also to gray matter injury.34,35,36,37,38 A recent study showed a significant association among HCA, IL-8 dysregulation, and altered early white matter development in preterm infants.39 Indeed, large population-based studies that included mostly term or near-term infants showed that exposure to chorioamnionitis may confer increased rates of impairment, including cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disability, and behavioral disorders.40,41,42