부산대학교 도서관

Aim of study: Diastasis recti abdominis is a widening of the linea alba leading to separation of the recti muscles. This abnormality concerns mainly women during their perinatal period. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of diastasis recti abdominis in women during their early postpartum period. We also attempted to verify the relationship between the women’s linea alba width and the number of their deliveries. Methods: In this study, data from medical interviews as well as the results of a diastasis recti test among 52 women between their 3rd and 5th day after delivery were analysed. Pearson’s Chi2 and Spearman’s correlation tests were used to search for relationships between variables. Results: Among the 52 women, 33 (63%) demonstrated increased separation of recti muscles (a positive diastasis recti test at the level of the umbilicus). Statistical analysis indicated a moderate positive correlation between the width of linea alba and the number of deliveries (r = 0.4; p < 0.05). Diastasis recti abdominis occurred in 14 of the 28 primigravidas (50%) and in 19 of the 24 multigravidas (79%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that over half of the women in the early postpartum period had diastasis of the recti abdominis muscles. In multiparous women, there may be a higher risk of diastasis recti abdominis occurrence.