Specifications include, but are not limited to: In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the goal of the birth defects surveillance and registry program is to: Determine frequency of major birth defects and autism; Identify risk factors for birth defects and autism; Investigate the causes of birth defects and autism; Develop preventive strategies to decrease occurrences of birth defects and autism; Analyze incidence, prevalence and trends of birth defects and autism through epidemiological studies; and, Investigate the morbidity and mortality rate results from birth defects and ways to decrease the autism morbidity burden associated with the disorder. The Birth Defects Surveillance Contractor (BDSC) will work closely with the Division of Public Health (DPH), Family Health Systems, to identify and record reportable birth defects diagnoses for entry into Delaware’s Birth Defects Registry. The Birth Defects Registry is a component of the Newborn Screening Case Management System (an already existing database within the Newborn Screening Program). The BDSC will be responsible for conducting case finding and ascertainment, medical record abstraction, and providing DPH with pertinent information to be entered into the Birth Defects Registry and case review with the Newborn Screening and Birth Defects Medical Genetics Director.
