Birth defects are estimated to affect more than 120,000 children in the United States every year. Doctors and public health scientists
know how some birth defects happen and in some cases can make recommendations to help prevent them. It is not clear how many birth
defects are related to environmental exposures, such as chemicals, drugs, and ionizing radiation. Some endocrine-disrupting chemicals,
including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and pesticides, have been linked to nervous system defects and developmental
problems such as reduced muscle tone and response. Although some research on how environmental hazards might cause birth defects
has been done, much more work is needed to understand the relationship between the environment and birth defects.
Additional Resources:
Connecticut Birth Defects: CT Birth Defects Registry
CDC Birth Defects: www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects
