Key points
- Birth defects can impact many aspects of an individual's life, throughout their life.
- A community of support can help people with these conditions no matter what health experiences they are navigating.
- Healthcare providers must recognize their role in supporting a future where everyone has access to the care and support they need.
About these resources
CDC works with partners to create resources to improve care for people living with birth defects, support healthcare provider education, and raise awareness about birth defects and early childhood onset conditions.
Resources
CDC resources
Find data on the prevalence of many types of birth defects.
Congenital Heart Defects Toolkit
CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics created a digital toolkit to help physicians promote life...
FASDs: Online Trainings and Resources
This page has resources for healthcare professionals about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI)
This page describes the importance of alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI).
Online Trainings and Resources
This page has resources for healthcare professionals about alcohol use during pregnancy.
Folic acid materials to help educate patients: fact sheets, brochures, and posters.
With an early physical developmental diagnosis, families can access care and services sooner.
Additional organizations
The views of these organizations are their own and do not reflect the official position of CDC.
American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG)
The ACMG provides education, resources and a voice for the medical genetics profession.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
ACOG's website provides general information about women's health issues during pregnancy including educational pamphlets about birth defects.
HHS Women's Health Information Center
A website and toll-free call center that provide free, reliable health information for women everywhere. The site contains a database of resources and contains topic areas such as pregnancy and medicine.
Medline Plus has information available about pregnancy, birth defects, prevention and screening, research, organizations, and more.
MotherToBaby provides evidence-based information to mothers, health care professionals, and the general public about medications and other exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN)
NBDPN provides tools and resources, including birth defects awareness month packets, surveillance guidelines, and folic acid information.
National Organization of Rare Diseases
The National Organization of Rare Diseases advances practical, meaningful, and enduring change so people with rare diseases can live their fullest and best lives.
Resources from additional organizations
The views of these organizations are their own and do not reflect the official position of CDC.
Care Coordination for Youth and Young Adults with Spina Bifida Infographic | AAP
These guides from AAP can help healthcare professionals in supporting youth and young adults through the healthcare transition process.
10 Essential Questions for Disability Inclusion in Health Agencies | ASTHO
This infographic from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) serves as a tool to foster conversations in health agencies around planning programs, policies, and activities to better serve individuals with disabilities.
Advancing Preparedness for Life Support Users During Power Outages | ASTHO
This report provides a roadmap for how jurisdictions can improve their support for people who depend on life support devices and other electric-powered medical equipment during power outages.
Public Health Emergency Planning Toolkit | ASTHO
This ASTHO report, which was co-authored with the World Institute on Disabilities, answers top questions around disability preparedness initiatives, and prioritizes inclusive planning while providing overarching guidance that can be applied to a variety of health and public health systems and structures.
Healthcare Professionals – MotherToBaby Resources
MotherToBaby is a service of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists, the professional scientific society that is comprised of experts in the field of birth defects prevention. They have patient education materials and healthcare professional resources available by specialty.