Monitoring Critical Birth Information 

The Birth Information Network (BIN) was established by Vermont legislation in 2003 and amended in 2011 (18 V.S.A. § 5087) to conduct statewide, population-level surveillance of selected birth defects and other congenital conditions. This information is used to improve outreach and referral services for families with children with special health needs, ensure adequate services are available for children and their families, evaluate efforts to prevent health problems and document possible link between environmental and chemical exposure with the special health conditions of Vermont’s infants and children.

Birth defects are common, costly and critical conditions that affect 1 in every 33 babies born in the United States each year. The Birth Information Network (BIN) program monitors trends, promotes prevention, and links families to resources. 

Of the 26,610 infants born to Vermont residents from 2018-2022, 1,049 (4%) were known to have one or more of the conditions monitored by the BIN. As a group, structural and chromosomal birth defects were the most common type of condition in the BIN, with 726 (2.7%) of infants having at least one of these conditions. Atrial septal defect was the most prevalent single condition in the BIN, with 322 (1.2%) of infants having this condition.

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Vermont Birth Defect Data Brief 2018-2022

New data on select birth defects among infants born to Vermont residents from 2018-2022.

View Report

Additional Information

What are birth defects?

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.

What causes birth defects?

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, but for most, the cause or causes are still unknown.

Some women are at higher risk of having a child with a birth defect, for example:

  • 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.

Why is the Birth Information Network needed?
  • To provide accurate counts of children with special health needs to make sure that parents and infants can get the services they need.
  • To understand why some children are born with serious health concerns.
  • To prevent or reduce the impact of birth defects and other conditions.
  • To improve overall health services.
What birth defects are included in the Birth Information Network?

Currently, Vermont collects information about 47 structural and chromosomal birth defects, 28 metabolic and endocrine conditions, congenital hearing loss, and very low birth weight (infant born with a birth weight less than 1500 grams). 

Contact Us
Contact the Birth Information Network Coordinator

Brennan Martin
Vermont Department of Health
280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-8370

 [email protected] 
Phone: 802-863-7611 

Topics:
Birth Defects
Last Updated: