Birth Defects

 

In August 2000, the Washington State Board of Health approved a revised list of congenital abnormalities notifiable by law to public health authorities under Chapter 246-101 of the Washington Administrative Code. Among these were nine birth defects:

Anencephaly - a birth defect that affects the growth of a baby's brain and skull bones that surround the head. Anencephaly Investigation in Washington State

Spina bifida - a birth defect in which the spinal column remains open and the spinal column is exposed at birth.

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate - Birth defect resulting in separation of the upper lip.

Cleft palate - Birth defect or gap in the roof of the mouth resulting in an open passage with the nose.

Second and third hypospodius - a male birth defect in which the opening of the tube that carries urine from the body develops incorrectly.

Limb reduction defects - Birth defect in which an arm or leg fails to fully develop.

Gastroschisis - Birth defect in which the abdomen does not properly form a muscle wall and internal organs are exposed.

Omphalocele - Birth defect resulting in a hernia or bulging of the navel (belly button).

Down Syndrome - Birth defect involving extra chromosome that results in mental and physical disability.

and three developmental conditions:

Autism - a brain disorder that impacts communication, social interaction, and patterns of behavior and can be recognized within the first three years of life.

Cerebral palsy - A condition occurring either prenatally, during birth, or shortly after birth in which the developing brain lacks oxygen, and resulting in uncoordinated movements and muscle weakness.

Fetal alcohol syndrome - A pattern of physical and mental birth defects that are the direct result of a mother drinking alcohol while pregnant.

At this time approximately 70 percent of Washington Hospitals are providing the Birth Defects Surveillance System with birth defect case data. Of these hospitals, 89 percent are mailing in hand-written or computer generated paper logs that need to be entered by Department of Health staff. To lessen costs to hospitals and the state, the agency is in the process of developing a web based electronic reporting system. This new process will allow the hospitals to enter data or send electronic batch files directly to the Birth Defects Surveillance System via a secured network.

Birth Defects Surveillance System - Hospitals Reporting

In August 2000, the Washington State Board of Health approved a revised list of congenital abnormalities notifiable by law to public health authorities under Chapter 246-101 of the Washington Administrative Code. Among these were nine birth defects and three developmental conditions.

At this time approximately 70 percent of Washington Hospitals are providing the Birth Defects Surveillance System with birth defect case data. Of these hospitals, 89 percent are mailing in hand-written or computer generated paper logs that need to be entered by DOH staff. To lessen costs to hospitals and the state, the Department of Health is in the process of developing a web based electronic reporting system. This new process will allow the hospitals to enter data or send electronic batch files directly to the Birth Defects Surveillance System via a secured network.

Birth Defects Notifiable Conditions (PDF)