title: The Janus face of maternal serum relaxin: a facilitator of birth, might it also induce preterm birth?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Preterm birth is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the developed world. In order to better understand the pathophysiological pathway of this condition, the role of genetic factors and/or inflammation-associated molecules, as well as of socioeconomic parameters, is therefore under intense investigation. The purpose of this review study was to examine the potential role of maternal serum relaxin levels in the etiology of preterm birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library) were searched for previously published research studies that investigated the biological role of relaxin and the mechanisms in which this hormone is involved during pregnancy and labor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It is evident that while relaxin is an essential endometrial/decidual angiogentic factor playing a vital role in maternal accommodation of pregnancy, elevated levels of this hormone could well be associated with preterm birth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are strong indications that maternal serum hyperrelaxinemia correlates with an increased risk of preterm birth.
authors.affiliation: a 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Medical School, Aretaieion Hospital and.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vrachnis
authors.affiliation: a 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Medical School, Aretaieion Hospital and.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grigoriadis
authors.affiliation: b 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Medical School, Attiko Hospital, University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Siristatidis
authors.affiliation: a 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Medical School, Aretaieion Hospital and.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vlachadis
authors.affiliation: a 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Medical School, Aretaieion Hospital and.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Balakitsas
authors.affiliation: a 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Medical School, Aretaieion Hospital and.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mastorakos
authors.affiliation: a 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Medical School, Aretaieion Hospital and.
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Iliodromiti
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D012065:Relaxin / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012065:Relaxin
keywords: Genetics; hormones; inflammation; preterm delivery; relaxin