Cocoa butter lotion for prevention of striae gravidarum: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial.

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Citation

Osman H, Usta IM, Rubeiz N, Abu-Rustum R, Charara I, Nassar AH

Cocoa butter lotion for prevention of striae gravidarum: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial.

BJOG. 2008 Aug;115(9):1138-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01796.x.

PubMed ID
18715434 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether application of cocoa butter lotion reduces the development of striae gravidarum (SG). DESIGN: Multicentre, double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Beirut and Tripoli, Lebanon. POPULATION: Nulliparous women presenting for prenatal care. METHODS: Nulliparous women presenting in the first trimester were randomly assigned to receive a lotion containing cocoa butter or a placebo lotion. Women were instructed to apply the assigned lotion daily until delivery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The development of striae over the abdomen, breasts and thighs postpartum. RESULTS: Of 210 women enrolled, 175 (83%) completed the study. Ninety-one women received the study lotion and 84 received the placebo. There was no difference in the development of SG (45.1% versus 48.8%; P = 0.730) or the severity of SG between cases and controls. The results did not change when presence of stretch marks at enrolment or compliance with the regimen were taken into account. CONCLUSION: Topical application of a lotion containing cocoa butter does not appear to reduce the likelihood of developing striae gravidarum.

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