View source for Diastasis recti

{{Infobox_Disease |
  Name           = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Image          = Abdomen rectus diastasis1.jpg|
  Caption        = Separation of rectus abdominus muscles which occasionally occurs in older patients and or those with weakening of the abdominal musculature. <br> <small> Image courtesy of Charlie Goldberg, M.D., UCSD School of Medicine and VA Medical Center, San Diego, California </small>|
  DiseasesDB     = |
  ICD10          = |
  ICD9           = |
  ICDO           = |
  OMIM           = |
  MedlinePlus    = 001602 |
  eMedicineSubj  = |
  eMedicineTopic = |
  MeshID         = |
}}
{{SI}}
{{CMG}}

==Overview==
'''Diastasis recti''' is a disorder defined as a separation of the [[rectus abdominis muscle]] into right and left halves. [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001602.htm] 

==Epidemiology==
*Normally, the two sides of the muscle are joined at the [[linea alba]] at the midline. Diastasis of this muscle occurs principally in two populations: [[Infant|newborns]] and [[Pregnancy|pregnant women]]. 
:*In the newborn, the rectus abdominis is not fully developed and may not be sealed together at midline. Diastasis recti is more common in [[Premature birth|premature]] and African American newborns. 
:*In pregnant or [[Postnatal|postpartum]] women, the defect is caused by the stretching of the rectus abdominis by the growing uterus. 
*It is more common in [[Parity (medicine)|multiparous]] women due to repeated episodes of stretching. When the defect occurs during pregnancy, the uterus can sometimes be seen bulging through the abdominal wall beneath the skin. [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001602.htm]

==Clinical presentation==
A diastasis recti appears as a ridge running down the midline of the abdomen from the [[xiphoid process]] to the [[Navel|umbilicus]]. It becomes more prominent with straining and may disappear when the abdominal muscles are relaxed. The medial borders of the right and left halves of the muscle may be palpated during relaxation. [http://www.pennhealth.com/ency/article/001602.htm] 

==Diagnosis==
The condition can be diagnosed by physical exam, and a [[ventral hernia]] may be ruled out using ultrasound.

==Treatment==
No treatment is necessary for women while they are still pregnant. Complications include development of an [[Umbilical hernia|umbilical]] or ventral hernia in children, which is rare and can be corrected with surgery. [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001602.htm]

(Images courtesy of Charlie Goldberg, M.D., UCSD School of Medicine and VA Medical Center, San Diego, California)

<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Abdomen rectus diastasis1.jpg|Separation of rectus abdominus muscles which occasionally occurs in older patients and or those with weakening of the abdominal musculature.
Image:Abdomen rectus diastasis2.jpg|The midline hernia can be made      more apparent by any maneuver that increases intra-abdominal pressure as demonstrated above.
</gallery>
</div>

==References==
* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001602.htm MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Diastasis Recti]
* [http://www.pennhealth.com/ency/article/001602.htm University of Pennsylvania Health System Encyclopedia: Diastasis Recti]

{{Symptoms and signs}}    

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[[Category:Muscular disorders]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Obstetrics]]
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