Birth Defects Profile
Download the report.
About 1 in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect in Iowa.
Sources
Birth defects are health conditions that are present at birth that change the shape or function of one or more parts of the body. Common birth defects include heart defects, cleft lip and cleft palate, and spina bifida. Birth defects can affect a baby's overall health, how the body develops, and how the body works. Birth defects can greatly impact the lives of babies and their families.
Each year in Iowa
We need information to better understand birth defects.
The Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders is a tracking system that collects information on babies born with defects in Iowa.
Tracking birth defects is crucial for understanding ways to prevent birth defects and supporting Iowa children and families impacted by birth defects.
A strong birth defects tracking system is needed to:
Identify causes
We don't know what causes most birth defects.
Help families connect to services
Children with birth defects and their families need services and care.
Fight new threats
Threats like Zika and opioid exposure put Iowa children at risk for birth defects.
Educate and support communities
Families and communities in Iowa need information and resources to prevent birth defects.
"Only when we support birth defects tracking programs will we have data to understand why birth defects happen, how to treat them, and what families need to thrive."
Jane C.
Learn more
- Visit PeriStats to view additional Iowa data.
- To learn more about birth defects, visit marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org.
Iowa's Programm
- Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders
- University of Iowa
- Learn more
Birth Defects Tracking
Source
This profile was developed in partnership with the National Birth Defects Prevention Network.
Data source: National Center for Health Statistics, period linked birth/infant death data. National Center for Health Statistics, natality data.