Evaluating serum elastin levels in striae gravidarum

Abstract

Objective: Striae gravidarum (SG) is the most common dermatological defect in pregnancy leading to cosmetic anxiety with unknown etiopathogenesis. the aim of the study was to analyze the relation between serum elastin levels and striae and identify possible independent associated risk factors. Materials and methods: This was a prospective observational study. in total, 138 primipara pregnant women were examined before delivery. Participants were separated into two groups according to the presence of SG. Striae assessment was performed according to Davey score. Before the active phase of labor patients were physically examined and blood samples were collected. Personal characteristics, features of birth, skin findings and serum elastin levels were compared between groups. Results: Term pregnant women with SG had significantly higher serum elastin levels than those without SG (99.46 +/- 32.92 vs. 88.36 +/- 19.12, respectively; p = 0.018). Conclusions: Serum elastin levels were increased in women with SG. However, the newly synthesized elastin may not be functional as it is thin and disorganized. Therefore, increased elastin production may not prevent the formation of striae. This finding may provide an impetus to explore the pathomechanisms of striae. Further controlled trials are warranted to determine the clinical significance of serum elastin levels in the formation of SG.