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Serum relaxin as a potential marker for preterm labour
L K Petersen1, K Skajaa, N Uldbjerg
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Denmark.
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|April 1, 1992
Summary
High serum relaxin levels in early pregnancy may indicate a risk for preterm labor. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm this association between relaxin and premature birth.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Preterm labor is a significant complication of pregnancy.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers for predicting preterm birth is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum relaxin concentrations at 30 weeks of gestation and the occurrence of spontaneous preterm labor.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted involving 991 pregnant women.
- Serum relaxin levels were measured using ELISA in women who delivered preterm (cases) and at term (controls).
Main Results:
- Mean serum relaxin concentrations were significantly higher in women who delivered preterm compared to those who delivered at term (455 pg/ml vs. 327 pg/ml, P=0.003).
- A negative correlation was observed between serum relaxin levels at 30 weeks and gestational age at delivery in women experiencing preterm birth (r=-0.53, P=0.02).
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum relaxin concentrations in the 30th week of pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery.
- These findings require validation through large-scale research to confirm the predictive value of relaxin for preterm labor.