MN Birth Defects Statute

Statute

Statute indicates that these sections become effective upon receipt of a federal grant to establish a birth defects information system. That grant was received by MDH in March of 2005.

The Minnesota Birth Defects Information System (M-BDIS)

The Minnesota Birth Defects Information System Statute was enacted in 2004 to establish and maintain an information system containing data on the cause, treatment, prevention, and cure of major birth defects. The commissioner consulted with representatives and experts in epidemiology, medicine, insurance, health maintenance organizations, genetics, consumers, and voluntary organizations in developing the system and phased in the implementation of the system. A passive approach was taken at the outset to evaluate the quality and timeliness of all currently available data along with possible linkages between data. As the project matured, a more active approach was implemented.

The Birth Defects Surveillance System provides for:

  • Monitoring incidence trends of birth defects to detect potential public health problems, predicting risks, and assisting in response to birth defects clusters
  • More accurately targeting intervention, prevention, and services for communities, patients, and their families
  • Informing health professionals and citizens of the prevalence of and risks for birth defects
  • Conducting scientific investigations and surveys of the causes, mortality, methods of treatment, prevention, and cure for birth defects
  • Modifying, as necessary, the birth defects information system through demonstration projects

Policy and administrative direction was obtained from a multi-disciplinary Birth Defects Work Group that included technical experts from several divisions within MDH, the March of Dimes, pediatricians, and primary health care providers.

  • The following physicians provided consultation to assist MDH staff in accurate data collection:
Jamie L. Lohr, M.D. (current as of 6/2011)
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Pediatric Cardiology
University of Minnesota Medical School
University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Fairview

Richard C. Lussky, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P. (current as of 6/2011)
Co-Medical Director, Newborn Intensive Care Unit, Hennepin County Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Nancy J. Mendelsohn, M.D. (current as of 6/2011)
Division of Medical Genetics
Children's Hospitals & Clinics of Minneosta
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota

Clifford E. Kashtan, M.D., F.A.S.N. (past)
Professor of Pediatrics
Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs
Department of Pediatrics
University of Minnesota Medical School
University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Fairview