Maternal serum corticotropin-releasing hormone and ACTH levels as predictive markers of premature labor

ObjectiveTo investigate whether corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and corticotropin (ACTH) plasma concentrations in women diagnosed with preterm labor are of potential clinical value in the assessment of the risk of preterm birth.MethodPlasma samples of 79 women diagnosed with preterm labor were used in this study. Samples were divided into three groups based on the week of gestation (24th–28th, 29th–32nd, 33rd–37th). CRH and ACTH values were determined by ELISA.ResultMean maternal peripheral plasma values of CRH and ACTH were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in women who were initially diagnosed with preterm labor and finally delivered a preterm birth, compared to women with the same diagnosis but with term birth.ConclusionCRH and ACTH serum levels in women diagnosed with preterm labor could be used as predictors for the timing of parturition.