Relationship between the severity of striae gravidarum and premature rupture of membrane in primigravid women

Abstract

Introduction: Premature rupture of membrane (PROM) is a common complication in midwifery and a serious consequence during pregnancy. This event can cause 18-20% prenatal mortality and 21.4% prenatal morbidity. Therefore, it is essential to use methods that can predict PROM. Regarding this, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between striae gravidarum and PROM among the primigravid women. Methods: This predictive correlational study was conducted on 600 primigravidwomen with the gestational age of 35-37 weeks in Bojnourd, Iran. The study population was selected through convenience sampling technique. The participants were monitored and followed up until delivery, and thereafter divided into two groups of with PROM and without PROM. The data were collected using physical examination, interview, telephone follow ups, and patients’ medical records. In addition, the severity of striae gravidarum was determined by the Atwal scale. Data analysis was performed in SPSS (version 17) using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Man-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and logistic regression. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: According to the results, 445 (74.2%) participants had striae gravidarum, and PROM occurred in 22.3% of the cases (n=134). The results of the logistic regression test showed that the females with severe striae gravidarum were 2.617 times more prone to the incidence of PROM, compared to those without striae gravidarum (P=0.010). Conclusion: According to the findings, the severity of striae gravidarum can be used as an indicator to predict the incidence of PROM. In order to prevent from such an event, the midwives and gynecologists can provide the mothers having severe striae gravidarum with proper recommendations in this regard.

Keywords

• striae gravidarum
• premature rupture of membrane
• primigravid