Urocortin I levels were measured in maternal plasma collected from women with gestational hypertension (GH; n=70), preeclampsia (PE; n=19), PE with superimposed fetal growth restriction (PE+FGR; n=15), and controls (n=70), and also in umbilical cord plasma collected at delivery from a subset of patients (Controls: n=11; GH: n=10; PE: n= 11; PE+FGR: n=9). The correlation of maternal plasma urocortin measurement with the occurrence of perinatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) was also evaluated. In all cases ultrasound scanning, Doppler velocimetry patterns of the uterine artery resistance index (UtA RI) and the umbilical cord artery vessels, and samples were collected before birth. Maternal levels were significantly higher in GH (P<0.05), PE (P<0.001) and PE+FGR (P<0.001) than in controls. PE+FGR had the highest urocortin levels, significantly (P<0.001) higher than PE and GH. In umbilical cord levels were significantly (P<0.0001) higher in GH, PE and PE+FGR than in controls; and significantly (P<0.001) higher in PE+FGR than in GH and PE. Concentrations were significantly (P<0.0001) higher than, and correlated to maternal levels. Eleven out of 140 patients developed IVH, giving an overall prevalence of the disease in our population of 7.14% (pretest probability). By using the cut-offs indicated by the ROC curve analysis, when mean UtA RI was used the probability of developing IVH (positive predictive value) was 28.6% (C.I.95%: 0.6–56.6%), and 0% if it was not altered, respectively. By using urocortin, the probability of IVH was 66.7%, and 0% if levels were unaltered. In conclusion, urocortin I levels are increased in maternal and fetal circulation in presence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and their changes are correlated with neonatal IVH.