Birth Defects Data

Find data on birth defects diagnosed in live born infants in Massachusetts within the first year of life. Twelve birth defects are included in this dataset.

About the Data

The following 12 birth defects are included in this data set:

anencephaly cleft lip without cleft palate
spina bifida (without anencephaly) cleft palate without cleft lip
hypoplastic left heart syndrome hypospadias
tetralogy of Fallot gastroschisis
transposition of the great arteries (vessels) limb deficiencies
cleft lip with cleft palate trisomy 21

 

Birth defects data reported on this website are obtained from the Massachusetts Birth Defects Monitoring Program (MBDMP) , an active statewide surveillance program.  

Image that shows the various forms of oppression that impact the various types of social determinants of health, that then impact health outcomes.

 

As you look at data on this webpage, you may see differences among population groups. The differences are especially noticeable between white people and people of color.

These differences exist because of structural racism. These differences are NOT because of an individual’s choices, behaviors, or identity.

Systems of oppression, such as racism, cause harm to everyone. They also influence the social determinants of health (SDoH), which impact health outcomes. See Figure 1.

It is important to keep these notes in mind when looking at the data and using it to inform public health efforts.

If you decide to share these data, remember to use racial equity context and framing. The DPH Racial Equity Data Road Map is one resource that can help.

About Birth Defects Data

Birth defects data from the MBDMP is part of the Massachusetts Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention within the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition. Birthing hospitals and other pediatric care centers across the state regularly submit birth defect diagnoses to the Center. These diagnoses are verified through medical record abstraction conducted by Center staff; during the abstracting process additional important demographic information is collected. The diagnoses are reviewed by a clinical geneticist and entered into a secure confidential electronic database maintained by the MBDMP.
 
Estimates are presented within PHIT for annual statewide prevalence of birth defects per 10,000 live births. Additionally, within PHIT you can find five-year prevelence of birth defects per 10,000 live births for Massachusetts counties and statewide by birth defect.Birth defects data can be used to monitor of trends over time, help identify high risk groups, and assist with prevention, evaluation, and program planning efforts.  Monitoring data about the occurrence of birth defects in Massachusetts can also help us understand the potential for environmental factors to play a role. The prevalence of birth defects in a county can be compared to the prevalence of birth defects in the state as a whole. 

When reviewing and interpreting birth defects data, it is important to take into consideration the following:

  • Prevalence estimates are based on the residential location of the mother at the time of the child's diagnosis.
  • Defects related to early fetal deaths (gestational age < 20 weeks) and/or terminations are not included in prevalence estimates. Furthermore, defects that are not diagnosed at birth, that do not need hospitalization or that are diagnosed after age one may be underreported.
  • When looking at a smaller geographic area, such as a county, cell suppression rules may be applied to protect the privacy of a child with a birth defect and their family.
  • Counts and prevalence estimates may differ slightly from those contained in other publications. These differences may be due to file updates, differences in calculation methods (such as grouping ages differently or rounding off numbers at different points in calculations), and updates or differences in population estimates.

Continue Exploring PHIT Data

Additional Resources

Contact   for Birth Defects Data

Online

Population Health Information Tool Information Email Population Health Information Tool (PHIT) at DPH.PHIT@mass.gov

Address

250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108

As a publicly available tool, we highly encourage the use of data included in PHIT. Below is an example of how you can cite this webpage to reference any information you find helpful.

[Insert Title of Webpage Here] (n.d.). Population Health Information Tool, Massachusetts Department of Public Health. [Insert URL]

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