Babies born to nurses working in cancer centres were more than three times more likely to show congenital anomalies of the eye (OR 3.46). The authors add that ‘the risks for other congenital anomalies [...] were also notably elevated, but not statistically significantly and were limited by the low frequency of cases.’ For instance, there were just three cases of congenital ocular defects (Ratner et al, 2010). Nonetheless, the study underscores the importance of assessing occupational risks and following health and safety guidance. Clearly, nurses need to ensure that, whenever possible, drugs taken by expectant mothers or women planning pregnancy are not associated with birth defects.