ChildLINK
Linking
Information
NetworKs
for Children
Maine Birth Defects Registry
It is estimated that approximately 200
babies are born with a major birth defect each year in Maine, many of
whom will not live to see their first birthday. In response, the Maine legislature established
the Maine Birth Defects Program (MBDP) within the
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mission
The goal of the Maine Birth Defects
Program is to:
- Assess the full impact of birth
defects on Maine children and their families.
- Improve access to specialty
services for families and locate resources for emotional and economic
support.
- Monitor trends related to the
prevalence of selected birth defects in Maine.
- Educate providers and the general
public on prevention strategies to decrease the incidence of birth
defects in Maine.
Through ChildLINK, the MBDP maintains a central
registry of cases identified with selected major birth defects. The data
collected allows the MBDP to examine the causes of birth defects, so
that prevention efforts can be designed and implemented. The MBDP works closely with
many programs within the Maine Center for
Disease Control and Prevention to provide information and assistance
with referrals for services.
Of particular interest to the MBDP is a
public awareness campaign about the importance of taking a daily
multivitamin containing 0.4mg of folic acid may reduce a woman’s risk
(up to 70%) of having a baby born with a neural tube defect, such a Spina Bifida and anencephaly.
For more information please contact the
Maine Birth Defects Program at 207/287-8424 or toll free at 800/698-3624 or TTY
207/287-8015.
Updated on:
03/07/2008
