About 3% of all babies born in the U.S. are affected by birth defects. Birth defects are structural changes in the baby that may or may not be compatible with life. These changes can be mild or severe and can affect a single part or multiple parts of the body. Some defects can be treated with surgical and other medical interventions. Diagnosis usually occurs within the first year of a baby’s life. Some defects can be diagnosed during pregnancy through screening and other types of tests.
The Virginia EPHT program collects data trends on twelve conditions. These defects were selected because of their possible link with environmental risk factors. They include:
- Anencephaly
- Cleft Lip with Cleft Palate
- Cleft Lip without Cleft Palate
- Cleft Palate without Cleft Lip
- Gastroschisis
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
- Hypospadias
- Limb Deficiencies
- Spina Bifida
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Transposition of the Great Arteries (Vessels)
- Trisomy 21
Click here to see the data in a visualization dashboard.
Contact Us
Virginia Environmental Public Health Tracking Program
Virginia Department of Health
P.O. Box 2448
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2448
109 Governor Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219