SCHS: Birth Defects Data

The North Carolina Birth Defects Monitoring Program (NCBDMP) gathers data on infants who are born with serious congenital anomalies (birth defects) diagnosed within the first year of life. Data are collected by trained field staff who systematically review and abstract, or summarize, hospital medical records. These data are supplemented with information from administrative health databases such as hospital discharge data, vital records, Medicaid claims and other sources. This intensive method of case ascertainment provides complete, accurate and timely data on the incidence of birth defects in the state.

The NCBDMP provides data about birth defects in North Carolina to researchers, health care providers, public health program planners, community organizations and interested citizens. These data are often used to inform public health prevention and evaluation efforts, provide health education, raise public awareness, support patient advocacy, support health care service referral and delivery, and conduct studies to understand the causes of birth defects so that cases of birth defects can be prevented in the future.

The most commonly requested data about birth defects in North Carolina is found on the North Carolina Health Data Query System, which is a web-based interactive database system that provides customized reports of health data based on demographic variables like age, race and county. You can also find data on pregnancies and births in North Carolina.

N.C. Health Data Query System - 03/12/25

On the N.C. Health Data Query System, you can find data about:

• Birth Defects, Statewide Totals (2005-2022) - Provides birth defect counts for infants who were North Carolina residents at the time of birth classified by the mother's race/ethnicity and year.
• Birth Defects by Region (2005-2022) - Provides birth defect counts for infants who were North Carolina residents at the time of birth, classified by perinatal care region, mother's race/ethnicity and year.
• Birth Defects by County (2005-2022) - Provides birth defect counts for infants who were North Carolina residents at the time of birth, classified by county and year.

Fact Sheets - 04/28/25

North Carolina Statewide Fact Sheets

• BDMP North Carolina Fact Sheet, 2018-2022 - 03/18/25
• BDMP North Carolina Fact Sheet, 2017-2021 - 04/28/25
• BDMP North Carolina Fact Sheet, 2016-2020 - 04/28/25

Perinatal Care Region Fact Sheets

2018-2022 - 03/18/25

• BDMP Fact Sheet, Western Region, 2018-2022
• BDMP Fact Sheet, Northwestern Region, 2018-2022
• BDMP Fact Sheet, Southwestern Region, 2018-2022
• BDMP Fact Sheet, Northeastern Region, 2018-2022
• BDMP Fact Sheet, Southeastern Region, 2018-2022
• BDMP Fact Sheet, Eastern Region, 2018-2022

2017-2021 - 04/28/25

2016-2020 - 04/28/25

Frequency of Selected Birth Defects in North Carolina

• Birth Defects Monitoring Program
  • Birth Defects Data
    • Fact Sheets
    • Frequency of Defects
    • NC Health Data Query System
      • Statewide Totals
      • Data by County
      • Data by Region
  • Publications
    • Select Studies
  • Prevention
  • Questions and Answers
  • Research
  • Resources
  • Contacts

Last Modified: September 4, 2025