Alaska Birth Defects Registry (ABDR)
Tracks birth defects to guide prevention, policy, and care for Alaska’s children
Who we are
The Alaska Birth Defects Registry (ABDR) is a population-based public health surveillance system that tracks birth defects among children under age three throughout the state. The registry was established in 1996 under Alaska Administrative Code 7 AAC 27.012 and is operated by the Alaska Division of Public Health.
ABDR plays a critical role in identifying, analyzing, and responding to patterns of birth defects across Alaska’s diverse communities.
Approximately 50 birth defects are reportable to ABDR, including the 47 recommended by the National Birth Defects Prevention Network.
What we do
ABDR uses a modified passive surveillance approach to gather information from:
- Hospital discharge data
- Health care providers and clinics
- Insurance claims
Data from ABDR supports:
- Public health research and scientific studies
- Cluster investigations in response to community concerns
- Program development to support affected children and families
- Policy decisions at state and local levels
- Improved understanding of environmental or genetic risk factors
This multi-source approach improves case identification and helps ensure a more complete picture of birth defects in Alaska.