Birth Defects Program
The Kansas Birth Defects Program is responsible for the collection of information concerning congenital anomalies, stillbirths and abnormal conditions of newborns and children up to the age of 5 in the state of Kansas. The Kansas Birth Defects Program is a passive surveillance system that relies on the reporting of birthing hospitals and other healthcare providers.
Reporting Resources
Background
Kansas has been collecting birth defects information from the Kansas birth certificate since 1979. The passage of Senate Bill 418 in the 2004 Legislative session provided statutory authority, via K.S.A. 65-1,241 through 65-1,246 (PDF), to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to establish a birth defects information system. In 2010, K.A.R. 28-4-520 through K.A.R. 28-4-521 expanded the list of congenital anomalies reportable to KDHE. In fall of 2016, KDHE applied for and was awarded funding through CDC's Surveillance, Intervention, and Referral Services for Infants with Microcephaly and other Adverse Outcomes linked with the Zika Virus. Through this funding opportunity, Kansas is taking steps to enhance the current passive birth defects surveillance system.
Mission
The mission of the Kansas Birth Defects Program is to create a seamless system of birth defects data collection and analysis, collaborative research, and follow-up interventions to better serve children up to age 5 who are identified with birth defects, and to lead prevention efforts to improve outcomes for Kansans.
Purpose
The Kansas Birth Defects Program exists to:
- Identify and describe congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Detect trends and epidemics in congenital anomalies and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Quantify morbidity and mortality of congenital anomalies and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Stimulate epidemiological research regarding congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Identify risk factors for congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Facilitate intervention in and prevention of congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Facilitate access to treatment for congenital anomalies and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Inform and educate the public about congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns
March 3
Join us in observance of World Birth Defects Day on March 3. Learn more on the National Birth Defects Prevention Network website.
Regulation Revision Suggestions Survey
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)'s Bureau of Family Heath (BFH) is home to several regulatory programs. State regulatory programs are designed to protect and preserve the public’s health, safety, and well-being. Agencies are given authority through law to establish regulations that describe how laws are to be implemented. Maintaining an effective regulatory program greatly reduces the risk of harm to the people of Kansas and our resources.
Receiving feedback on program regulations is critical to the regulatory review process and community participation. The survey allows members of regulated communities and the public to offer feedback on KDHE BFH regulations.
Thank you for sharing your voice as we move forward together to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Kansas families. Share your feedback today.