There are thousands of different birth defects. Most occur in the first three months of pregnancy. The most common are heart defects, hypospadias, cleft lip and cleft palate, Down syndrome, and spina bifida. Most birth defects are thought to be caused by a complex mix of factors, including a person’s genes, behaviors, and things in the environment. For some birth defects, the cause is known. But for most, the cause or causes are still unknown.
In Vermont, over one-third of infant deaths are due to birth defects, or infants being born too early or with low birth weight.
Vermont collects data on more than 40 birth conditions via the Birth Information Network (BIN).
The reports below are interactive, which means you can:
Birth defects are problems that develop while a fetus is growing during pregnancy. These problems can cause physical and mental disabilities, and may result in death.
It is not clear how many birth defects are related to environmental exposures such as chemicals, drugs, and radiation. Some endocrine-disrupting chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and pesticides, have been linked to nervous system defects and developmental problems such as reduced muscle tone and response. More data is needed to make these connections clearer.
Living near a hazardous waste site has been identified as a possible risk factor for birth defects such as neural tube defects, which affect the developing brain and spinal cord.
Exposure to disinfection by-products in drinking water such as trihalomethanes (THM) may increase the risk of some types of birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord, the urinary tract, and the heart.
Other environmental factors suspected to be associated with birth defects include arsenic, plastics, solvents, and mercury.
The baby's development may be more susceptible to environmental exposures during the first trimester. This is the most sensitive time in pregnancy, when the organs and limbs are formed.
The Health Department is authorized by law to collect information for the Vermont Birth Information Network (BIN). The BIN currently collects information about more than 40 birth conditions. Twelve of these conditions are included in the Vermont Tracking portal.
The following 12 birth defects that are part of the Tracking portal:
Data about birth defects on the Vermont Tracking portal are for live births and for birth conditions diagnosed on or before the baby’s first birthday.
The data are presented in five-year periods starting in 2006 (with Limb Deficiencies starting in 2010). Data includes the number of babies with the birth defect, the average annual number of cases over the five-year period, and the prevalence rate per 10,000 live births. For Hypospadias, prevalence rates are calculated per 10,000 male live births.
Even with five years of data, the number of birth defects reported in Vermont is small. The Vermont Tracking portal does not display exact counts or rates when there are fewer than six cases. With fewer than six cases, it is almost impossible to tell random changes from true changes in the data. Reporting small numbers is also avoided to maintain the confidentiality of individuals.
