Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 216 - Department of health
Chapter 10 - Public Health Administration
Subchapter 10 - Registries
Part 3 - Rhode Island Birth Defects Registry (216-RICR-10-10-3)
Section 216-RICR-10-10-3.1 - Authority

A. These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the authority conferred in R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-13.3-3(f), and are hereby adopted for the purpose of establishing a unified procedure for the reporting of birth defects of newborns and spontaneous fetal deaths to the Rhode Island Birth Defects Registry.

B. The Rhode Island General Assembly has found that birth defects are a major cause of infant deaths and childhood disabilities; and that early recognition and response to birth defects often prevents more serious effects; and that the epidemiological patterns of specific birth defects may provide keys to improved birth outcomes. An active birth defects surveillance and information system is essential to developing programs and disseminating information that can reduce birth defects and infant mortality. An active birth defects surveillance and information system serves to describe occurrence of birth defects in the newborn and children up to five; detect trends of morbidity and mortality, stimulate epidemiological research to diminish the impact of birth defects and infant mortality; and identify newborns and children with birth defects to intervene on a timely basis for treatment.