Birth Defects Monitoring and Analysis

The Birth Defects program supports the mission of the department to protect, maintain, and improve the health of all Minnesotans by helping children thrive, grow, and be as healthy as possible. The primary goals of the program are to:

• Monitor trends of birth defects to detect emerging health concerns and identify affected populations
• Assure appropriate services are provided to affected families
• Prevent birth defects through targeted education
• Educate physicians and the public regarding birth defects
• Stimulate research on risk factors, treatment, prevention, and the cure of birth defects

Even though 100,000 to 150,000 babies are born each year in the US with major birth defects, many of the actual causes of birth defects are not completely understood. Some types of birth defects are preventable. MDH focuses program activities on the prevention of birth defects.

There are many programs in our state that may benefit children with birth defects and their families. Knowledge of the occurrence of birth defects will help MDH link families to the services they need. Better tracking of when and where birth defects occur provides critical information that may help prevent birth defects in the future. This information will help all children in Minnesota have the best possible start in life.

State general funds support program activities, including coordination of services for those infants and families found to have special needs. Legislation passed in 2004 authorized the statewide expansion of birth defects monitoring and analysis activities. As part of this expansion, MDH is partnering with local and tribal public health agencies across Minnesota to connect children with birth defects to services in the communities where they live.

• Important Information for Your Family Packet (PDF)
  
• List of Birth Conditions Tracked in our Database (PDF)
• Neural tube defect bookmark (PDF)

Birth defects opt-out form

Opt-Out form for the Birth Defects Information System (PDF)