Birth Defects Profile
Download the report.
About 1 in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect in Rhode Island.
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 Rhode Island
We need information to better understand birth defects.
The Rhode Island Birth Defects Surveillance Program is a tracking system that collects information on babies born with defects in Rhode Island.
Tracking birth defects is crucial for understanding ways to prevent birth defects and supporting Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island children at risk for birth defects.
Educate and support communities
Families and communities in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island data.
- To learn more about birth defects, visit marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org.
Rhode Island's Programm
- Rhode Island Birth Defects Surveillance Program
- Rhode Island Department of Health
- 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.