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Birth Defects

Birth Defects Statistics

In 2006, 1,641 out of 63,186 total live births (2.6%) recorded in Louisiana reported at least one birth defect on the birth certificate. 

  • Birth defects are one of the leading causes of infant deaths.
  • Birth defects are estimated to affect more than 120,000 children in the United States every year.
  • About 3% of babies, or 1 of every 33, are born with a structural birth defect.
  • Babies born with birth defects have a greater chance of illness and long-term disability than babies without birth defects.
  • Babies with birth defects are also more likely to be born preterm (before the 37th week of pregnancy) than babies without birth defects.
  • Birth defects account for approximately 30% of all pediatric hospital admissions

Most birth defects likely happen for many reasons, not just one reason.  One possible reason is the environment. More research is needed to study the links between environmental hazards and birth Birth Defectsdefects, which is why birth defects are part of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network. 

State Data Resources

Louisiana Birth Defects Monitoring Network »

The Louisiana Birth Defects Monitoring Network implements a Birth Defects Surveillance System for the State of Louisiana. The network is collecting data on birth defects in all Louisiana children under the age of three.  They provide information to families of children identified as having birth defects, and analyze data to determine if certain regions of the state have higher concentrations of disabilities.  They use these results of data analysis to guide statewide birth defects education and prevention efforts.  

Birth Defects Indicators Available on Tracking Network

On the Tracking Network, birth defects are reported as birth prevalence. Birth prevalence measures how often birth defects happen and is the best way to report information about birth defects. It is calculated by counting how many times the birth defect occurs in every 10,000 live births. Data on12 birth defects are available on the Tracking Network.

Birth Defects in LouisianaClick on one of the links below to learn more about birth defects:

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