[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.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
Of the 17 articles found, 6 contained data on the prevalence of pregnancy complications in residents.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.
Ménard
L
L
Clinique de médecine familiale du Centre hospitalier de Verdun, Qué.
Gagnon
R
R
D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
Risques de complications de la grossesse pendant la résidence.