RELAXIN IS NOT RELATED TO SYMPTOM-GIVING PELVIC GIRDLE RELAXATION IN PREGNANT-WOMEN

Background. The pregnancy associated hormone relaxin induces loosening of the pelvic ligaments in several species. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether pregnant women with symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation had increased serum relaxin concentrations during pregnancy . Method. Serum relaxin concentrations were measured in 38 pregnant wo men with symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation at the time of diagno sis, in the 30th and 38th week of pregnancy as well as 2 and 6 months after delivery. Fourteen pregnant women without symptoms served as a c ontrol group. Relaxin concentrations were measured by a homologous enz yme linked immuno-sorbent assay. All participants were clinically exam ined including tests for symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation. Resu lts. No differences in serum relaxin concentrations were found through out pregnancy and after delivery between women with symptom-giving pel vic girdle relaxation and positive clinical findings where compared to the control group. Moreover, there were no differences in serum relax in concentrations in women with symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxatio n more than 2 months post partum when compared to women in whom the sy mptoms disappeared within two months after delivery. Conclusion. The p resent results do not suggest an important role for relaxin in symptom -giving pelvic girdle relaxation during human pregnancy. (C) Acta Obst et Gynecol Scand 1996