Birth Defects Home | About Birth Defects | Learn More
Birth defects are problems that develop while a fetus is growing during pregnancy. These problems can cause physical and mental disabilities, and may result in death.
There are thousands of different birth defects. Most occur in the first three months of pregnancy. The most common are heart defects, hypospadias, cleft lip and cleft palate, Down syndrome and spina bifida.
Most birth defects are thought to be caused by a complex mix of factors, including a person’s genes, behaviors and things in the environment. For some birth defects, the cause is known. For most, the cause or causes are still unknown.
Some women are at higher risk of having a child with a birth defect:- The mother’s age can play a part. Women over the age of 35 and below the age of 17 are more likely to have a child with Down syndrome than other women. Teenage mothers are more likely to have a baby born with gastroschisis, which is a defect in the abdominal wall.
- Women who smoke or use alcohol while pregnant have a higher risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. Some street drugs and some prescription drugs can also cause birth defects.
- Women with certain medical conditions such as diabetes or obesity are at higher risk.
- Certain infections during pregnancy can affect the development of a growing fetus.
The father’s age can increase the risk of having a child with a birth defect. Men over about 37 ½ years of age are at higher risk of having a child with certain genetic syndromes. These are syndromes caused by single small genetic changes that can happen in sperm of older men.
Other birth defects are also caused by genetic factors. These birth defects may run in families, but they may also occur when no one else in the family has this problem.
How is the environment linked to birth defects?
It is not clear how many birth defects are related to environmental exposures such as chemicals, drugs, and radiation. Some endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and pesticides, have been linked to nervous system defects and developmental problems such as reduced muscle tone and response. More data are needed to make these connections clearer.
Living near a hazardous waste site has been identified as a possible risk factor for birth defects such as neural tube defects, which affect the developing brain and spinal cord.
Exposure to disinfection by-products in drinking water such as trihalomethanes, or THM, may increase the risk of some types of birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord, the urinary tract, and the heart.
Other environmental factors suspected to be associated with birth defects include arsenic, plastics, solvents, and mercury.
The baby's development may be more susceptible to environmental exposures during the first trimester. This is the most sensitive time in pregnancy, when the organs and limbs are formed.
How can birth defects be prevented?
Not all birth defects can be prevented. Many happen very early in pregnancy, sometimes before a woman knows she is pregnant—about half of all pregnancies in the United States are not planned. However, there are some actions you can take to have the healthiest possible pregnancy.
Plan your pregnancy. See your health care provider before you become pregnant:
- Talk to your health care provider about which medications (including dietary or herbal supplements) are safe to take while you are pregnant. Also discuss household chemicals and other possible environmental hazards that should not be used.
- If you have a family history of birth defects, you may wish to see a genetic counselor to discuss your risk of having a baby with the same birth defect.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about getting medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure under control before pregnancy.
- Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid daily both before and during pregnancy. Folic acid supplements have been shown to greatly reduce the risk of spina bifida and some other conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Take good care of yourself:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Exercise moderately.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Avoid chemicals and other things in the home and workplace that may harm an unborn baby.
- Learn how to prevent infections during pregnancy.
- Don’t drink alcohol, smoke or use street drugs.
Seeing your health care provider regularly both before you are pregnant and when you become pregnant is especially important. Prenatal (before birth) care can help find some problems early in pregnancy so that they can be monitored or treated before birth. Some problems may be avoided with prenatal care.
How is information collected about birth defects in Vermont?
The Vermont Department of Health is authorized by law to collect information for the Birth Information Network (BIN). Information comes from birth certificates, newborn screening programs, hospitals, clinics, and other places where health records are kept. Some birth defects may be identified before birth, but Vermont’s Network collects information only on live births. The confidentiality of all personal health information entered in BIN is strictly protected by law, and parents can choose whether their child’s identifying information is included in the BIN.
Why is the Birth Information Network needed?
- To provide accurate counts of children with special needs to make sure that parents and infants can get the services they need.
- To try to understand why some children are born with serious health concerns.
- To find ways to prevent or reduce the impact of birth defects and other conditions.
- To improve overall health services.
Which birth defects are included in Vermont’s Tracking program?
Vermont collects information about more than 40 birth conditions. Twelve of these conditions are part of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network.
Since 2006, Vermont has collected information on the following 10 birth defects that are part of the Tracking Network:
- Anencephaly
- Spina Bifida (without Anencephaly)
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Transposition of the Great Arteries (Vessels)
- Cleft Lip with or without Cleft Palate
- Cleft Palate without Cleft Lip
- Hypospadias
- Gastroschisis
- Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)
Starting in 2011, Vermont received permission to collect information on two additional birth defects that are part of the Tracking Network:
What data about birth defects are included in Vermont’s Tracking program?
Data about birth defects on Vermont Tracking are for live births and for birth conditions diagnosed on or before the baby’s first birthday. These data are for the five-year period 2006–2010 and include the number of babies with the birth defect, the average annual number of cases over the five-year period, and the prevalence rate per 10,000 live births.
Even with five years of data, numbers of birth conditions in Vermont are small. When numbers of cases are fewer than six, Vermont Tracking does not show exact counts. With fewer than six cases, it is almost impossible to tell random changes from true changes in the data. Reporting small numbers is also avoided to maintain confidentiality of individuals.
County and state data are presented for three birth defects:
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Cleft Lip with or without Cleft Palate
- Hypospadias
Statewide data are presented for seven birth defects:
- Anencephaly (Statewide data are fewer than six cases for 2006-2010 and are not displayed.)
- Spina Bifida (without Anencephaly)
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
- Transposition of the Great Arteries (Vessels)
- Cleft Palate without Cleft Lip
- Gastroschisis
- Trisomy 21
Find Out More:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- March of Dimes
- National Birth Defects Prevention Network
