The risk of congenital malformation was not higher in infants born to 13,600 nuclear industry employees in the United Kingdom, a recent study shows. The possibility of preconception radiation exposure affecting reproductive outcomes has received far less attention than the relationship between parental exposure and cancer in children. Male employees, describing their partners' pregnancies, reported no greater risk of fetal death at any gestational age. Among female employees, there was a slightly greater risk of early miscarriage and of stillbirth, but not of late miscarriage.

Doyle P, et al. Lancet 2000;356:1293-9.