Report of survey: pregnancy outcomes in medical laboratory technologists.
A survey was published and distributed in the CSLT Bulletin. Completed surveys were returned anonymously by mail. Of the surveys returned (n = 2002), 16 were not usable due to incomplete information. Spontaneous abortion (SA) occurred in 19.9% of the total responders' pregnancies. Technologists not employed during pregnancy had a lower rate of SA (13.2%) compared to those working full-time (19.9%) (p < 0.001). Including all types of early (< 28 wk) pregnancy terminations (except induced abortion) the non-employed group had a 17% incidence of fetal loss compared to 23% in the group employed full-time (p < 0.001). The differences in SA rate could not be accounted for by mother's age at pregnancy nor previous obstetric history. The incidence of cesarean section was higher in the full-time employed group (16%) compared to the non-employed group of technologists (9.9%) (p < 0.001). There were 141 reported birth defects representing an overall incidence in responders of 4.8%, comparable to literature values for the general population (6.0%). The incidence of specific birth defects was not different in the working group.
Torchia
M G
MG
St. Boniface General Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg.
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires