Programs
Program Overview
The Kansas Birth Defects Program (KBDP) is a public health service that is responsible for the collection of information concerning birth defects (congenital anomalies), stillbirths and abnormal conditions of newborns and children up to the age of five in the state. The program uses an online database to synchronize reports of birth defects, only possible with the collaborative effort between public health offices, hospitals, health care professionals and the families of the infants.
The information provided by the program creates a surveillance system for data collection used to review and verify reports and conduct any necessary follow-ups. The program follows the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) guidelines for collecting information, KBDP supplies the data to the NBDPN and Kansas Environmental Public Health tracking network, allowing us to customize the program to the needs of the community while identifying trends and targeting education and prevention efforts.
Surveillance aims to identify infants at risk on the newborn screening panel and. Early detection is important for treatment to prevent health problems from developing and improve the lives of children with these conditions. Any information that is collected or received by KDHE are confidential medical records, and will be kept confidential.
Contact Us
Paige Leonard
Program Coordinator
Kansas Birth Defects Program
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 220
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-6134
Paige.Leonard@ks.gov
Forms
Vision, Mission & Purpose
Vision
To improve the quality of life and health outcomes.
Mission
The mission of the Kansas Birth Defects Program is to create a seamless system of birth defects data collection and analysis, collaborative research, and follow-up interventions to better serve children under age 5 with birth defects and to lead prevention efforts to improve outcomes for Kansans.
Purpose
The Kansas Birth Defects Program exists to:
- Identify and describe congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Detect trends and epidemics in congenital anomalies and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Quantify morbidity and mortality of congenital anomalies and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Stimulate epidemiological research regarding congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Identify risk factors for congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Facilitate intervention in and prevention of congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Facilitate access to treatment for congenital anomalies and abnormal conditions of newborns
- Inform and educate the public about congenital anomalies, stillbirths, and abnormal conditions of newborns
Information for Families & Providers
Click below for more information and resources for families and providers.
Background & Governance
Kansas has been collecting birth defect information from Kansas birth certificates since 1979. The passage of Senate Bill 418 in the 2004 Legislative session provided statutory authority, via K.S.A. 65-1,241 thru 65-1,246, to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to establish a birth defects information system. In 2010, K.A.R. 28-4-520 through K.A.R. 28-4-521 expanded the list of congenital anomalies reportable to KDHE. Further changes were made in 2022 to include the removal of ICD-9 references and codes and adopting the department document Kansas Birth Defects Surveillance Reporting Manual.