The possible impact of early gonadal irradiation on the results of fut
ure pregnancies is unclear, This study is based on the progeny of 17,3
93 women who were treated with irradiation for skin hemangiomas at the
age of 18 months or less. The mean ovarian dose was 6 cGy, and the ma
ximum was 8.55 Gy. Using Swedish central health registers, the outcome
of delivery was studied in these women; 19,494 infants born were iden
tified, The treated women deviated from the general population by havi
ng a longer education and by smoking less, This may explain a reduced
risk for low birth weight and preterm birth (not related to radiation
dose), Women with ovarian doses greater than 1 cGy had fewer infants t
han women with a lower ovarian dose. An excess of perinatal deaths was
evident as well as a slight excess in the rate of malformation, but n
either was related to dose. There was a statistically significant tren
d of an increasing rate of neural tube defects with ovarian dose, poss
ibly a chance result of multiple statistical testing. Cleft lip/palate
occurred at levels significantly below expectation, No increase in th
e rate of infants with Down syndrome or in childhood malignancies was
detected, No major adverse results in outcome of delivery were seen af
ter ovarian irradiation in childhood with the possible exception of ne
ural tube defects. (C) 1998 by Radiation Research Society.