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EPHT – Birth Defects

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Environmental Public Health Tracking Program

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

 

Telephone: 573-751-6102 or
(toll-free) 866-628-9891
Fax: 573-526-6946

Email
EPHTN@health.mo.gov
Phone
573-751-6102

Most birth defects happen during the first three months of pregnancy, when a baby's organs are developing. During this important time, environmental exposures could affect how a baby’s system or organ grows and works. The Missouri Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) Program provides data on birth defects that could be related to the environment.  

Announcements

Get the Facts │ About 1 in 33 babies born in the United States has a birth defect.

Announcements

Get the Facts │ Birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths. About 20% of infant deaths happen because of birth defects.

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What Causes Birth Defects?

Most birth defects are probably caused by a mix of genes and other risk factors. 

Research studies suggest that there are connections between environmental exposures and some birth defects. Chemicals that could be a problem include pollutants, pesticides, and by-products from disinfecting drinking water. However, more research and ongoing monitoring are needed to better understand the relationship between birth defects and the environment. Often, we don't know why they happen.

Other risk factors for birth defects include:

  • Smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking certain “street” drugs during pregnancy.
  • Having certain medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes before or during pregnancy.
  • Taking certain medicines.
  • Being deficient in folic acid.
  • Having another family member with a birth defect.
  • Being an older mother, typically over the age of 34 years.

For more information on birth defects, visit Birth Defects.

 

Birth Defects Data

The Missouri EPHT Program collects data from the Missouri Birth Defects Registry on serious birth defects that studies suggest could be related to the environment. The data can be searched by the mother’s age and the infant’s sex, race, and ethnicity.

Other Data Sources

Other birth defects data are available at:  

 

Using the Data

The data can help you: 

  • See which birth defects are happening
  • See if some communities or populations are at higher risk
  • See if birth defects are going up or down over time
     

Additional Resources