Plasma corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF) in abnormal pregnancy

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Abstract
Summary. Maternal plasma levels of cortiocotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF) have been measured in abnormal pregnancy states to assess their potential as biochemical markers for at‐risk pregnancies. CRF levels were not significantly altered in patients with hydatidiform mole, polyhydramnios or diabetes. CRF levels were elevated in pregnancies complicated by accidental antepartum haemorrhage at 28 weeks (P<0·03) but not for the rest of the third trimester. In twin pregnancies CRF levels were significantly raised throughout the third trimester (28–32 weeks, P<0·01; 34–36 weeks, P<0·001). In patients with pregnancy‐induced hypertension (28 weeks, P<0·001; 32–36 weeks, P<0·001; and 38–40 weeks, P<0·01), preterm labour and premature rupture of the membranes (28 weeks, P<0·004; 30–32 weeks, P<0·002; and 34–36 weeks, P<0·001), CRF levels were significantly raised and in some patients levels were elevated 11 weeks before the onset of signs or symptoms. These observations raise the possibility that maternal CRF measurement may be of use as a predictive indicator of certain at‐risk pregnancies.