16 Del. Admin. Code § 4101-1.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 7, January 1, 2025

Section 4101-1.0 - Purpose

1.1 Birth defects are one of the causes of infant mortality and disabilities in Delaware. A Birth Defects Surveillance System, or Birth Defects Registry, will enable the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of Public Health (DPH) to collect birth defects data, to create a statewide registry, and to link surveillance with tracking of individual children for the provision of services.

1.2 The purpose of the Birth Defects Registry is to provide information to Public Health officials as to the existence of previously unrecognized health and environmental hazards, help prevent certain birth defects and ultimately decrease the infant mortality rate. The Birth Defects Registry will gather data to assist with identification of risk factors, including environmental and hereditary, assist in the investigation of causes and prevalence; assist in the development of strategies to reduce the occurrence of, or prevent such defects; and track and follow-up abnormal newborn hearing screening results.

1.3 The usefulness of the data collected in the Birth Defects Registry will depend upon the full and accurate reporting of such defects by health care practitioners, health care facilities, clinics and laboratories.

1.4 The Birth Defects Registry will be a component of the Newborn Screening Case Management System, including metabolic and hearing screening. All results of metabolic and hearing screens will become part of the screening record. Tracking and follow-up of incomplete and abnormal cases will be followed by the Division of Public Health Newborn Screening Program.

16 Del. Admin. Code § 4101-1.0