Risk factors for the development of striae gravidarum

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 196; no. 1; pp. 62.e1 - 62.e5
• Main Authors: Osman, Hibah, MD, MPH, Rubeiz, Nelly, MD, Tamim, Hala, PhD, Nassar, Anwar H., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Elsevier Inc 2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatology; Elasticity; estrogen; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Incidence; Medical sciences; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - epidemiology; relaxin; Risk Factors; Skin Diseases - epidemiology; Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects; striae gravidarum; striae gravidarum; estrogen; relaxin; pregnancy; Pregnancy; Andrology; Skin disease; Atrophia striata; Gynecology; Risk factor; Development; Epidemiology; Obstetrics
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2006.08.044

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with striae gravidarum (SG). Study design A cross-sectional study of 112 primiparous women delivering at a private teaching hospital was conducted. Participants were assessed during the immediate postpartum period for evidence of SG. Presence and severity of SG were compared to characteristics of women using t tests and Chi-square tests. Results Sixty percent of the study participants had developed SG. Women who developed SG were significantly younger (26.5 ± 4.5 vs 30.5 ± 4.6; P < .001) and had gained significantly more weight during pregnancy (15.6 ± 3.9 vs 38.4 kg ± 2.7; P < .001). Birthweight (BW), gestational age at delivery, and family history of SG were associated with moderate/severe SG. Conclusion Maternal age and weight gain during pregnancy are associated with SG. BW, family history of SG, and gestational age at delivery are associated with moderate/severe SG.