Maternal Serum Progesterone-Induced Blocking Factor (PIBF) in the Prediction of Preterm Birth

Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, and is the most important challenge to modern obstetrics (Romero et al., 2013). Yet, standard prenatal care does not include reliable methods of predicting preterm birth (Saling, 2012). Some unexplained preterm deliveries may be attributable to a deleterious immune response of the mother toward the fetus (Hudic et al., 2009). A growing body of evidence suggests that progesterone might play a role in establishing an adequate immune environment during pregnancy (Szekeres-Bartho et al., 1985).

Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - March 21, 2015 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Igor Hudić, Babill Stray-Pedersen, Julia Szekeres-Bartho, Zlatan Fatušić, Larisa Dizdarević– Hudić, Vajdana Tomić, Beata Polgar, Bahrudin Hadžiefendić, Jasenko Fatušić Source Type: research