We estimated case counts statewide and for each of California's 58 counties. This data can help in documenting birth defects' public health impact as well as in planning services and prevention efforts.

DATA SOURCES

	Rates are calculated from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program registry, our database of medical and demographic information on children with birth defects. To stabilize rates, we've averaged the most recent 5 years of data, for births from 1999-2003.
	County birth totals come from Vital Statistics records (live birth and stillbirths over 20 weeks certificates) for 2004.

ADDITIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA

	Statewide data: estimated cases, rates and frequencies for all birth defects combined plus 17 specific conditions (livebirths).
	Rates and frequencies for 16 specific conditions (livebirths plus stillbirths over 20 weeks).