Corticotropin-releasing factor and its binding protein: maternal serum levels in term and preterm deliveries

Article Abstract:

The risk of preterm delivery may not be predicted by changes in blood levels of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). Researchers measured levels of CRF beginning at 20 weeks of pregnancy in 396 Hispanic pregnant women with an increased risk of preterm delivery. Women with premature rupture of membranes before term had slightly elevated CRF levels, but overall CRF levels were not higher for women delivering preterm. Levels of CRF binding protein remained steady until term, when they decreased. This finding suggests that CRF may become available to the body in greater quantities as the end of pregnancy approaches. Increases in CRF levels may be a result of preterm labor rather than a cause of it. CRF activity may take place in the placenta and not be detectable in the mother's blood.

Measurement, Premature rupture of membranes, Premature rupture of the membrane, Premature birth, Corticotropin releasing hormone, Corticotropin-releasing hormone

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Association between pregnancy-induced hypertension and asthma during pregnancy

Article Abstract:

Women who develop asthma during pregnancy may have a higher risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension than those who do not. Both of these conditions may be caused by a factor that affects smooth muscle. Among 24,115 women who delivered a live or stillborn infant between Jan 1987 and Dec 1991, 136 developed asthma during pregnancy and 1,435 had a history of asthma. Ninety-two women developed severe pregnancy-induced hypertension and 1,307 developed moderate pregnancy-induced hypertension. An association was found between the development of asthma during pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension. The incidence of asthma was higher among women with severe pregnancy-induced hypertension than among those with moderate pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Diseases, Asthma, Pregnant women, Hypertension in pregnancy, Gestational hypertension

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Genetic amniocentesis after multifetal pregnancy reduction

Article Abstract:

Amniocentesis does not appear to increase the risk of miscarriage in women who have had multifetal pregnancy reduction. Many women who take fertility pills become pregnant with more than one fetus. If there are four or more embryos, some doctors will remove two or three embryos so the remaining embryos will have a better outcome. Researchers analyzed fetal outcomes in 294 pregnant women who had multifetal pregnancy reduction, 127 of whom also had amniocentesis. Both procedures together did not increase the risk of miscarriage above the small risk attributed to multifetal pregnancy reduction alone.

Care and treatment, Miscarriage, Amniocentesis, Pregnancy, Multiple, Multiple pregnancy

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