IBDPR Special Projects
Infant Deaths and Birth Defects
Birth defects are the second leading cause of infant deaths in Indiana. An infant death is defined as the death of a baby before his or her first birthday. In 2016, Indiana had 623 infant deaths. That’s about 12 babies every week. Of those 623, about 22 percent were due to birth defects.
Click here for more information about infant mortality.
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Critical Congenital Heart Defects
Critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs) are severe, life-threatening birth defects of the heart. They often require surgery or treatment within the first year of life. One part of newborn screening can target seven of the 12 CCHDs. The seven targeted conditions are:
- d-Transposition of great arteries
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Pulmonary atresia
- Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVR)
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
- Tricuspid atresia
- Truncus arteriosus
The screening is called the pulse oximetry screen. It should be done around 24 hours of life. It’s a simple and painless test that uses sensors on a baby’s hand and foot. The sensors check the amount of oxygen in a baby’s blood. Low oxygen levels in the blood may be a sign of CCHD. This screening may detect CCHDs before symptoms start. Since many of these conditions require treatment soon after birth, this screening can save lives.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Task Force
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), for purposes of IC 16-19-16, refers to the side effects that occur in a newborn who was exposed to addictive illegal or prescription drugs while in the mother's womb.
For more information on the opioid epidemic, please click here.
Zika Virus and Birth Defects
Zika is a virus most often spread through infected mosquitos, but it can also be sexually transmitted from one person to another. Zika virus infection is associated with birth defects, and there is no vaccine or treatment for Zika. Therefore, pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant should take extra precautions to prevent infection.
For more information on Zika, please click here.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Birth Defects
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that most adults have had at some point in their life. When healthy children and adults become infected with CMV most of them will not have symptoms. If symptoms appear, they may include headache, fatigue, fever, swollen glands, and sore throat. Once a person is infected with CMV the virus remains in the body. People can be infected at any age. Pregnant women who are infected with CMV may pass the virus on to their baby.
About 1 in 200 babies is born with congenital CMV infection. About 1 in 5 of those babies will have birth defects or other health problems. Hearing loss is the most common health problem associated with congenital CMV infection. Your baby’s hearing is checked soon after birth. A baby with congenital CMV may also have vision loss, seizures, lack of coordination and intellectual disability.
Where to go if you have questions:
If your child was born with a birth defect, your child’s doctor may have discussed the specific aspects of your child’s medical condition. However, there may be additional services and support available to you, your child and your family.
Click here for a list of resources that may be useful to your family.
If you have any questions about your child’s condition, please contact your child’s doctor.
For additional information, please click here. (en español)
