Birth weight of infants among obstetricians

ABSTRACT

Information on birth weights, gestational ages as well as average weakly working hours and years of residency were provided by 146 female obstetricians with 412 deliveries. It is found from the total deliveries that nearly one third occurred during residency. The relationship of birth weight and period of gestation in relation to the time of residency was evaluated. Infants delivered during residency had significantly lower mean birth weight than those delivered before residency. Although mean birth weight tends to increase after residency, it was still lower than that of before residency. Low birth weight and preterm labor were insignificantly higher among births that occurred during residency. The results of this study suggested a potentially negative impact of obstetric residency on the birth weights of infants born to female house officer