Objectives-To develop a reliable method for collecting information on
reproductive outcome in an occupational setting; and to investigate th
e health of children born to medical radiographers. Methods-The study
population comprised 6730 members of the College of Radiographers who
were, at the time of survey; aged between 30 and 64 years, on the curr
ent membership file of the College, and were resident in Britain. Resu
lts-The postal method developed proved to be reliable, with around 87%
of questionnaires being returned. The observed frequencies of reprodu
ctive events were broadly in line with findings from other studies: of
the 9208 pregnancies reported, 83% were livebirths, 12% were miscarri
ages (gestational age < 20 weeks), 1% were stillbirths (gestational ag
e greater than or equal to 20 weeks), and 1% were other rarer spontane
ous adverse events (ectopic pregnancy, blighted ovum, and hydatidiform
mole). There was little difference between men and women in the frequ
ency of adverse reproductive events reported, with the exception that
male radiographers reported fewer medical terminations, the proportion
s being 3 . 1% and 1 . 4% for women and men respectively. Among childr
en, the overall risks of major congenital malformation (RR 1 . 0, 95%C
I 0 . 9-1 . 2), chromosomal anomaly (RR 1 . 4, 95%CI 0 . 8-2 . 3), and
cancer (RR 1 . 2 95%CI 0 . 7-2 . 0) were as expected based on general
population rates. Borderline excesses of chromosomal anomalies other
than Down's syndrome in the children of female radiographers (RR 3 . 9
, 95%CI 1 . 3-9 . 0, based on five observations), and cancer in the ch
ildren of male radiographers (RR 2 . 7, 95%CI 0 . 9-6 . 5, based on fi
ve observations) were noted. The numbers on which these risks are base
d are small and the findings should be interpreted cautiously. Conclus
ions-The postal methods developed for obtaining information about repr
oductive events and child health proved to be reliable in men, as well
as in women. Overall, the findings for medical radiographers are reas
suring. Dose-response relations could not, however, be examined as lon
g term dose records of radiographers are not routinely kept in an acce
ssible form.