# Correlation between albumin levels during the third trimester and the risk of postpartum levator ani muscle rupture

## TL;DR

Low albumin levels in late pregnancy are linked to a higher risk of postpartum muscle rupture in the pelvic floor.

## Contribution

Identifies low albumin levels as an independent risk factor for levator ani muscle rupture after childbirth.

## Key findings

- Low-albumin group had a significantly higher incidence of muscle rupture (53.50%) compared to the normal-albumin group (33.20%).
- Albumin levels correlated strongly with rupture risk (r = 0.193, P < 0.001) and were an independent risk factor (OR = 2.286).

## Abstract

To investigate the correlation between albumin levels during the third trimester and the risk of postpartum levator ani muscle rupture.

A retrospective analysis of 410 parturients undergoing vaginal delivery at Zhangzhou Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University was conducted. Parturients were classified into low-albumin (<35 g/L) and normal-albumin (≥35 g/L) groups based on their albumin levels during the third trimester. Data on levator ani muscle rupture and various clinical parameters were collected and analyzed using multivariate binary logistic regression.

The low-albumin group comprised 38.29% of participants and had a significantly higher incidence of levator ani muscle rupture (53.50%) compared to the normal-albumin group (33.20%; P < 0.05). Albumin levels strongly correlated with rupture risk (r = 0.193, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed low albumin levels were an independent risk factor (OR = 2.286, 95% CI: 1.259–4.152). Other independent risk factors included forceps-assisted delivery, BMI ≥ 24 kg/m², age ≥ 35 years, and second stage of labor duration ≥ 120 min (all P < 0.05).

Decreased albumin levels are an independent risk factor for postpartum levator ani muscle rupture, suggesting a potential role in increasing the risk of muscle injury.