DIGOXIN-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVE SUBSTANCE AND PRETERM LABOR

An endogenous digoxin-like substance (DLIS) that may be related to preterm labor has been studied. Using a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit, DLIS levels were determined in 1 10 women, of whom 33 were in preterm labor. 27 were in labor at term, 26 had normally ongoing pregnancies before term and were not in labor, and finally 24 were at term but not in labor. Mean DLIS levels of women in preterm labor was found to be significantly high (>0.2 ng/ml, p<0.05). Whether this finding points to a causative role for DLIS in preterm labor remains to be further investigated. © 1990 S. Karger AG, Basel.