CRH and chorioamnionitis: It is speculated that poor weight gain during pregnancy stimulates the production of stress hormones, such as epinephrine and cortisol, which in turn stimulate maternal corticosterone-releasing-hormone (CRH) secretion and prostaglandin production, making the body susceptible to uterine contractions; moreover, deficiency of nutrients such as iron and zinc impairs immunity and promotes chorioamnionitis, leading to preterm birth [16,17].