Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
04:12
Author Spotlight: Non-Surgical Treatment of Melasma– Microneedling with Tranexamic Acid
Published on: January 19, 2024
1.7K
Is it possible to prevent striae gravidarum?
Ebru Ersoy1, Ali Ozgur Ersoy1, Esra Yasar Celik1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Healthcare Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
|April 9, 2016
Summary
Younger maternal age and higher pre-pregnancy BMI are key risk factors for stretch marks (striae gravidarum). Preventive counseling on these modifiable factors is crucial as effective treatments are lacking.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Dermatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Striae gravidarum (SG), or stretch marks, represent a significant cosmetic concern for many women.
- Currently, there is no definitive treatment for SG, although preventive strategies may offer some benefit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify individual risk factors associated with the development of striae gravidarum.
- To assess the potential effectiveness of preventive measures against SG.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study was conducted with 211 singleton primiparous pregnant women.
- Participants were assessed for SG and divided into two groups: those with and without stretch marks.
- Individual characteristics were compared between the two groups to identify significant predictors.
Main Results:
- Striae gravidarum were present in 75.4% of the participants.
- Lower mean maternal age and higher mean preconceptional body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with SG (p < 0.001 for both).
- Positive family history, having a male infant, and lower educational attainment were also significant predictors (p = 0.002, p = 0.042, and p = 0.033, respectively).
- Factors such as preventive product use, smoking, skin type, water intake, and income level did not significantly predict SG.
Conclusions:
- Preconceptional counseling regarding modifiable risk factors, including maternal age and pre-pregnancy weight, is recommended.
- This information is valuable given the lifelong persistence of stretch marks and the absence of conclusive treatments.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Acne Infection
28
Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
28
01:19Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
3.4K
Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own...
3.4K
01:30Skin Cancer
6.6K
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
6.6K
01:12Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
3.2K
The skin is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the skin's outermost, middle, and inner layers. The human epidermal layer regularly undergoes renewal, where old, dead cells are replaced by new cells. Epidermal stem cells or EpiSCs divide and differentiate to restore the lost cells. For the renewal process, some EpiSCs continuously self-renew. In contrast, few others differentiate into transit-amplifying cells, which later form prickle or spinous cells, followed by granular...
3.2K
01:07Teratogenicity
4.5K
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.5K
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
2.3K
Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
2.3K