Birth Information Network | Vermont Department of Health
Source: http://healthvermont.gov/stats/registries/birth-information-network
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:31
Birth Information Network | Vermont Department of Health
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Translations for you
Birth Information Network
Registries
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry
Birth Information Network
Cancer Registry
Immunization Registry
Request Vaccine Records
Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS)
Monitoring Critical Birth Information
The Birth Information Network (BIN) was established by Vermont legislation in 2003 and amended in 2011 (
18 V.S.A. § 5087
) to conduct statewide, population-level surveillance of selected birth defects and other congenital conditions. This information is used to improve outreach and referral services for families with children with special health needs, ensure adequate services are available for children and their families, evaluate efforts to prevent health problems and document possible link between environmental and chemical exposure with the special health conditions of Vermont’s infants and children.
Key Points
Birth defects are common, costly and critical conditions that affect 1 in every 33 babies born in the United States each year.
Of the 26,610 infants born to Vermont residents from 2018-2022, 1,049 (4%) are known to have one or more of the conditions monitored by the BIN.
Structural and chromosomal birth defects are the most common type of condition in Vermont, with 726 (2.7%) of infants having at least one of these conditions.
Atrial septal defect is the most prevalent single condition in Vermont, with 322 (1.2%) of infants having this condition.
Important Links
Newborn Screening
Hearing Screening
Children with Special Health Needs
Vermont Family Network
CDC Birth Defects Program
March of Dimes
National Birth Defects Prevention Network
Vermont Birth Defect Data from 2018-2022
New data on select birth defects among infants born to Vermont residents from 2018-2022.
View Report
Environmental Health's Birth Defect Tracker
The
Vermont Tracking Program
brings together environmental and health data to better understand how our environment impacts health.
The reports below are interactive, which means you can:
Click on the dropdown arrows and buttons within the reports.
Hover over or click on the graphs, tables and maps to learn more.
Make the display bigger by clicking the button below.
View in Full Screen
Birth Defect and Environment FAQs
How is the environment linked to birth defects?
It is not clear how many birth defects are related to environmental exposures such as chemicals, drugs and radiation. Some endocrine-disrupting chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and pesticides, have been linked to nervous system defects and developmental problems such as reduced muscle tone and response. More data is needed to make these connections clearer.
Living near a hazardous waste site has been identified as a possible risk factor for birth defects such as neural tube defects, which affect the developing brain and spinal cord.
Exposure to disinfection by-products in drinking water such as trihalomethanes (THM) may increase the risk of some types of birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord, the urinary tract and the heart.
Other environmental factors suspected to be associated with birth defects include arsenic, plastics, solvents and mercury.
The baby's development may be more susceptible to environmental exposures during the first trimester. This is the most sensitive time in pregnancy, when the organs and limbs are formed.
Find more
Environmental Health data
Additional Information
What are birth defects?
Birth defects are problems that develop while a fetus is growing during pregnancy. These problems can cause physical and mental disabilities, and may result in death. There are thousands of different birth defects. Most occur in the first three months of pregnancy.
What causes birth defects?
Most birth defects are thought to be caused by a complex mix of factors, including a person’s genes, behaviors and things in the environment. For some birth defects, the cause is known, but for most, the cause or causes are still unknown.
Some women are at higher risk of having a child with a birth defect, for example:
The mother’s age can play a part. Women over the age of 35 and below the age of 17 are more likely to have a child with Down syndrome than other women. Teenage mothers are more likely to have a baby born with gastroschisis, which is a defect in the abdominal wall.
Women who smoke or use alcohol while pregnant have a higher risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. Some street drugs and some prescription drugs can also cause birth defects.
Women with certain medical conditions such as diabetes or obesity are at higher risk.
Certain infections during pregnancy can affect the development of a growing fetus.
The father’s age can increase the risk of having a child with a birth defect. Men over about 37 ½ years of age are at higher risk of having a child with certain genetic syndromes. These are syndromes caused by single small genetic changes that can happen in sperm of older men.
Other birth defects are also caused by genetic factors. These birth defects may run in families, but they may also occur when no one else in the family has this problem.
Why is the Birth Information Network needed?
To provide accurate counts of children with special health needs to make sure that parents and infants can get the services they need.
To understand why some children are born with serious health concerns.
To prevent or reduce the impact of birth defects and other conditions.
To improve overall health services.
What birth defects are included in the Birth Information Network?
Currently, Vermont collects information about 47 structural and chromosomal birth defects, 28 metabolic and endocrine conditions, congenital hearing loss, and very low birth weight (infant born with a birth weight less than 1500 grams).
List of Birth Defects
Contact Us
Contact the Birth Information Network Coordinator
Brennan Martin
Vermont Department of Health
280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-8370
[email protected]
Phone: 802-863-7611
Topics:
Birth Defects
Last Updated:
February 2, 2026
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
Birth Information Network
Registries
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry
Birth Information Network
Cancer Registry
Immunization Registry
Request Vaccine Records
Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS)
Monitoring Critical Birth Information
The Birth Information Network (BIN) was established by Vermont legislation in 2003 and amended in 2011 (
18 V.S.A. § 5087
) to conduct statewide, population-level surveillance of selected birth defects and other congenital conditions. This information is used to improve outreach and referral services for families with children with special health needs, ensure adequate services are available for children and their families, evaluate efforts to prevent health problems and document possible link between environmental and chemical exposure with the special health conditions of Vermont’s infants and children.
Key Points
Birth defects are common, costly and critical conditions that affect 1 in every 33 babies born in the United States each year.
Of the 26,610 infants born to Vermont residents from 2018-2022, 1,049 (4%) are known to have one or more of the conditions monitored by the BIN.
Structural and chromosomal birth defects are the most common type of condition in Vermont, with 726 (2.7%) of infants having at least one of these conditions.
Atrial septal defect is the most prevalent single condition in Vermont, with 322 (1.2%) of infants having this condition.
Important Links
Newborn Screening
Hearing Screening
Children with Special Health Needs
Vermont Family Network
CDC Birth Defects Program
March of Dimes
National Birth Defects Prevention Network
Vermont Birth Defect Data from 2018-2022
New data on select birth defects among infants born to Vermont residents from 2018-2022.
View Report
Environmental Health's Birth Defect Tracker
The
Vermont Tracking Program
brings together environmental and health data to better understand how our environment impacts health.
The reports below are interactive, which means you can:
Click on the dropdown arrows and buttons within the reports.
Hover over or click on the graphs, tables and maps to learn more.
Make the display bigger by clicking the button below.
View in Full Screen
Birth Defect and Environment FAQs
How is the environment linked to birth defects?
It is not clear how many birth defects are related to environmental exposures such as chemicals, drugs and radiation. Some endocrine-disrupting chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and pesticides, have been linked to nervous system defects and developmental problems such as reduced muscle tone and response. More data is needed to make these connections clearer.
Living near a hazardous waste site has been identified as a possible risk factor for birth defects such as neural tube defects, which affect the developing brain and spinal cord.
Exposure to disinfection by-products in drinking water such as trihalomethanes (THM) may increase the risk of some types of birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord, the urinary tract and the heart.
Other environmental factors suspected to be associated with birth defects include arsenic, plastics, solvents and mercury.
The baby's development may be more susceptible to environmental exposures during the first trimester. This is the most sensitive time in pregnancy, when the organs and limbs are formed.
Find more
Environmental Health data
Additional Information
What are birth defects?
Birth defects are problems that develop while a fetus is growing during pregnancy. These problems can cause physical and mental disabilities, and may result in death. There are thousands of different birth defects. Most occur in the first three months of pregnancy.
What causes birth defects?
Most birth defects are thought to be caused by a complex mix of factors, including a person’s genes, behaviors and things in the environment. For some birth defects, the cause is known, but for most, the cause or causes are still unknown.
Some women are at higher risk of having a child with a birth defect, for example:
The mother’s age can play a part. Women over the age of 35 and below the age of 17 are more likely to have a child with Down syndrome than other women. Teenage mothers are more likely to have a baby born with gastroschisis, which is a defect in the abdominal wall.
Women who smoke or use alcohol while pregnant have a higher risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. Some street drugs and some prescription drugs can also cause birth defects.
Women with certain medical conditions such as diabetes or obesity are at higher risk.
Certain infections during pregnancy can affect the development of a growing fetus.
The father’s age can increase the risk of having a child with a birth defect. Men over about 37 ½ years of age are at higher risk of having a child with certain genetic syndromes. These are syndromes caused by single small genetic changes that can happen in sperm of older men.
Other birth defects are also caused by genetic factors. These birth defects may run in families, but they may also occur when no one else in the family has this problem.
Why is the Birth Information Network needed?
To provide accurate counts of children with special health needs to make sure that parents and infants can get the services they need.
To understand why some children are born with serious health concerns.
To prevent or reduce the impact of birth defects and other conditions.
To improve overall health services.
What birth defects are included in the Birth Information Network?
Currently, Vermont collects information about 47 structural and chromosomal birth defects, 28 metabolic and endocrine conditions, congenital hearing loss, and very low birth weight (infant born with a birth weight less than 1500 grams).
List of Birth Defects
Contact Us
Contact the Birth Information Network Coordinator
Brennan Martin
Vermont Department of Health
280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-8370
[email protected]
Phone: 802-863-7611
Topics:
Birth Defects
Last Updated:
February 2, 2026