Abstract
ObjectiveStriae gravidarum (SG) and perineal lacerations are common occurrences during late pregnancy and labor. It has been hypothesized that both conditions may share a common pathophysiological pathway through changes in the connective tissue. We aimed to investigate a possible association between these two conditions and whether the presence of SG may predict perineal lacerations.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study that included women who gave birth at the Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC), Beer-Sheva, Israel. Those who provided informed consent were examined for the presence of SG using the Davey scoring system to determine the severity of abdominal SG. Clinical and obstetrical characteristics and the presence and degree of perineal tears were retrieved from the computerized patients’ records. Univariate analysis was carried using appropriate statistical tests.ResultsA total of 187 women were recruited. Of those, 81 (43.3%) did not have SG, 24 (12.8%) 43 (23%) and 39 (20.9%) had mild, moderate and severe SG, respectively. Women with SG were significantly older and had a higher body mass index (p<0.01 for both). Delivery characteristics, mode of delivery, and gestational age were comparable between the groups; however, women with SG gave birth to significantly larger neonates (p<0.01). Seventy-one (31%) women had suffered from 1st or 2nd-degree perineal tears, and none had 3rd or 4th-degree perineal tears. No significant differences were found in rates of perineal tears between women with and without SG (p = 0.91), regardless of SG severity (p = 0.38).ConclusionsIn our study, SG was not associated with perineal tears. This information may be used as reassurance when giving antepartum consultation to women with SG, even in severe cases.
Highlights
Striae distensae or "stretch marks" are referred to as striae gravidarum (SG) when they occur during pregnancy
No significant differences were found in rates of perineal tears between women with and without SG (p = 0.91), regardless of SG severity (p = 0.38)
SG was not associated with perineal tears
Summary
Striae distensae or "stretch marks" are referred to as striae gravidarum (SG) when they occur during pregnancy. SG is a common skin problem reported to affect 55% to 90% of gravid women [1, 2] They are defined as atrophic linear scars in dermal stretching areas, most commonly the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, hips, and thighs. Genetic factors (such as chronic genetic diseases and family history) and physical factors (such as elevated pregestational body mass index (BMI), excess weight gain during pregnancy, large for gestational age fetuses) have been shown to contribute to this bothersome condition [1, 3, 4]. These skin lesions disrupt the affected women’s quality of life (QoL) as they are considered aesthetically undesirable and pose a significant psychosocial and therapeutic challenge [5]. The assessment method is simple and easy to perform, leaving little room for error, making it widely used [6, 7]
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