[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.