[Pregnancy and the work place. Risk assessment during a 5-year period at an occupational medicine clinic].

If the occupational environment of a pregnant women is considered to present the risk for injurious effects on the foetus, there has been a possibility in Denmark since 1981 in the Maintenance Allowance legislation for absence from work on account of the particular occupation during the entire duration of the ascertained pregnancy. Assessment of the risk for foetal damage in the occupational environment is undertaken primarily by the general practitioner with advice and the possibility for more detailed assessment of the risk from Workers' Supervision Authorities and the Clinic for Occupational Medicine. The principles for assessing the risk in the Clinic for Occupational Medicine are reviewed on the basis of 144 cases from the period 1983-1987 and these are illustrated by three case histories. In addition, the main principles in assessing the risk are reviewed. At present, risks are considered to be in occupations involving work with chemicals, heavy lifting and EDB screens.