title: Prevalence and risk factors of diastasis recti abdominis from late pregnancy to 6 months postpartum, and relationship with lumbo-pelvic pain.
abstract: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is an impairment characterized by a midline separation of the rectus abdominis muscles along the linea alba. It has its onset during pregnancy and the first weeks following childbirth. There is scant knowledge on both prevalence and risk factors for development of the condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of DRA at gestational week 35 and three timepoints postpartum, possible risk factors, and the relationship between DRA and lumbo-pelvic pain. Ultrasound images of inter rectus distance (IRD) were recorded in 84 healthy primiparous women, at three locations on the linea alba. The IRD was measured at: gestational week 35 and 6-8, 12-14, and 24-26 weeks postpartum. Diagnosis of DRA was defined as 16 mm at 2 cm below the umbilicus. Independent sample t-test and binary logistic regression was used to assess differences and risk factors in women with and without DRA and women with and without lumbo-pelvic pain. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The prevalence of DRA decreased from 100% at gestational week 35-39% at 6 months postpartum. No statistically significant differences were found in prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), weight gain, baby's birth weight or abdominal circumference between women with and without DRA at 6 months postpartum. Women with DRA at 6 months postpartum were not more likely to report lumbo-pelvic pain than women without DRA. DRA is prevalent at 6 months postpartum, but is not linked with lumbo-pelvic pain.
authors.affiliation: Univ Lisboa, Fac Motricidade Humana, CIPER, LBMF, P-1499-002 Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: patimota@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Patrícia Gonçalves
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Fernandes da Mota
authors.affiliation: Univ Lisboa, Fac Motricidade Humana, CIPER, LBMF, P-1499-002 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Augusto Gil Brites Andrade
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Pascoal
authors.affiliation: Univ Lisboa, Fac Motricidade Humana, CIPER, BIOLAD, P-1499-002 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Isabel Andrade Dinis
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Carita
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bø
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D015995:Prevalence; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Abdominal exercise; Diastasis recti; Pregnancy; Ultrasound