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BIRTH DEFECTS IN

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

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 OHIO

More than

134,500

babies are born.

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About

4,100

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 Ohio Connections for Children with Special Needs is a tracking system that collects information on babies born with defects in Ohio.

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

EDUCATE AND SUPPORT
COMMUNITIES

Families and communities in Ohio 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 Ohio data.

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

OHIO'S PROGRAM

Ohio Connections for Children with Special Needs

Ohio Department of Health

LEARN MORE

BIRTH DEFECTS TRACKING

National Birth Defects Prevention Network

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention