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[Risk of pregnancy complications associated with residency]
Objective:
To determine, through a review of published articles, whether a higher prevalence of pregnancy complications is associated with residency in medicine.
Data Sources:
Articles published between January 1980 and December 1992 found through a MEDLINE search using the MeSH terms "pregnancy complications" and "internship and residency" and through a review of the bibliographies of articles found.
Study Selection:
Of the 17 articles found, 6 contained data on the prevalence of pregnancy complications in residents.
Data Extraction:
The methodologic quality of the studies was evaluated systematically with the use of a grid. Data on the prevalence of the six most common pregnancy complications were retained.
Data Synthesis:
Four of the six articles had methodologic weaknesses (missing or inappropriate control groups, poorly controlled historical bias). The best study showed a higher prevalence of premature labour, pre-eclampsia and voluntary abortion in the residents than in the control subjects.
Conclusions:
It is difficult to draw definitive conclusions from a single study that met the criteria for methodologic quality. More and better-controlled studies involving larger numbers of subjects are needed.