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BIRTH DEFECTS IN

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

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 WISCONSIN

More than

63,300

babies are born.

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About

1,900

babies will be born with a birth defect.

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About

1 in 5

infant deaths is due to a birth defect.

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WE NEED INFORMATION TO BETTER UNDERSTAND BIRTH DEFECTS.

The Wisconsin Birth Defect Prevention and Surveillance System is a tracking system that collects information on babies born with defects in Wisconsin.

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

EDUCATE AND SUPPORT
COMMUNITIES

Families and communities in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin data.

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

WISCONSIN'S PROGRAM

Wisconsin Birth Defect Prevention and Surveillance System

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

LEARN MORE