Stretch marks: risk factors

Introduction: Stretch marks are linear, atrophic, and well-defined cutaneous lesions, secondary to modifications in the conjunctive tissue.Their etiology is unclear.
Objective: To evaluate and compare risk factors for the occurrence of stretch marks during the first pregnancy of women who gave birth in public and private maternity hospitals.
Methods: Observational, transversal, and descriptive study with puerperae 48 hours after giving birth.Observations were carried out for 4 months in the maternity hospital of the public health sys- tem and at the private maternity hospital (n = 324).
Results: In both groups,maternal age and weight of the newborn were statistically significant risk fac- tors. Of women aged 25 or less, 70.1% developed stretch marks during pregnancy, compared to 29.0% of women over 25.Likewise, the greater the baby''''''''s weight, the greater the risk of stretch marks.
Conclusions: Women cared for in the public health system developed a greater number of stretch marks during pregnancy because they were younger.Among the study population, women aged 31 and older were less likely to develop stretch marks during pregnancy, as were those with babies weighing less than 3.5 kg.

Keywords: PREGNANCY, DERMIS, RISK FACTORS