Increased maternal age protects against striae gravidarum

Summary

The relationship between clinical data and the subsequent occurrence of striae gravidarum was studied in a consecutive series of 261 primiparae, using a stepwise logistic regression analysis. The incidence of striae was 42-9 per cent. Variables which demonstrated an independent relationship with the occurrence of striae were maternal age (P<00001, relative risk 0-84/year); body mass index (p<0001, relative risk 1-47/two units); maternal skin complexion (P<001), relative risk 1-7/ category); and infant birth weight (p<005, relative risk 20/kg). Topical prophylaxis did not result in a reduction in the incidence of striae.