Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2001 Apr;44(4):775-779.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Pregnancy Associated Change in Width of the Symphysis Pubis in Korean Women

• Han JY
• Han BH
• Moon WN

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate pregnancy associated change in width of the symphysis pubis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
497 women were evaluated from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2000. They were non-pregnant, pregnant and postpartum state without complaning of pelvis pain. Ultrasonographic measurements of the width of the symphysis pubis were performed.
RESULTS
The population study shows 29.3 year-old as the mean age., gravid 2 and parity 0.6 . They consist of non-pregnant(n=36), first trimester(n=79), second trimester(n=118), third trimester(n=94), postpartum 4 weeks(n=84) and postpartum 8 weeks(n=86) women. The width of symphyseal joint was 3.93+0.05 mm(0.8-8.8 mm) among the total population, 3.20+0.17 mm in non-pregnant, 3.76+0.14 mm in first trimester, 3.95+0.10 mm in second trimester, 4.72+0.15 mm in third trimester, 3.98+0.12 mm in postpartum 4 weeks, 3.37+0.12 mm in postpartum 8 weeks women. The difference of the symphyseal joint width is statistically significant between non-pregnant and pregnant women(P=0.00). However the width of symphyseal joint were recovered until postpartum 8 weeks. There was no statistical difference of the width between first and second trimester,however significant difference between third trimester and before(P=0.00). The equation of regression ananlysis in the width of symphyseal joint was Y=3.25+0.04 x Gestation weeks during pregnancy(P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
The width of the symphyseal joint had increased as gestational week advanced, and recovered until postpartum 8 weeks in pregnant women not complaining of pelvic pain.

Keyword

Pregnancy; Symphyseal Joint gap

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Joints
Parity
Pelvic Pain
Pelvis
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
Pregnancy*
Pregnant Women