BIRTH DEFECTS IN

ABOUT 1 IN EVERY 33 BABIES IS BORN WITH A BIRTH DEFECT IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

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 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

More than

9,100

babies are born.

About

300

babies will be born with a birth defect.

About

1 in 6

infant deaths is due to a birth defect.

WE NEED INFORMATION TO BETTER UNDERSTAND BIRTH DEFECTS.

Tracking birth defects is crucial for understanding ways to prevent birth defects and supporting District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia children at risk for birth defects.

EDUCATE AND SUPPORT
COMMUNITIES

Families and communities in District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia data.

To learn more about birth defects, visit marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org.

BIRTH DEFECTS TRACKING

National Birth Defects Prevention Network

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention