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BIRTH DEFECTS IN

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ABOUT 1 IN EVERY 33 BABIES IS BORN WITH A BIRTH DEFECT IN TEXAS.

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 TEXAS

More than

377,600

babies are born.

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About

11,400

babies will be born with a birth defect.

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About

1 in 4

infant deaths is due to a birth defect.

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WE NEED INFORMATION TO BETTER UNDERSTAND BIRTH DEFECTS.

The Texas Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch is a tracking system that collects information on babies born with defects in Texas.

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

EDUCATE AND SUPPORT
COMMUNITIES

Families and communities in Texas 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 Texas data.

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

TEXAS'S PROGRAM

Texas Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch

Texas Department of State Health Services

LEARN MORE

BIRTH DEFECTS TRACKING

National Birth Defects Prevention Network

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention