Significance of Indicator: Birth defects are associated with poor child outcomes, ranging from health and learning problems to death. Although many birth defects are due to unknown causes, some can be prevented with adequate maternal care, beginning with preconception and continuing through pregnancy.

How we are doing on this Indicator: From 2002 to 2007, the percentage of babies born at a low birth weight has increased by nearly 1%. The most recent data for this indicator is from 2007, with low birth weight remaining at 7.8% from 2005.

what the data tell us

The Story Behind the indicator

There are various factors that can contribute to birth defects, including inadequate prenatal care. In 2006, nearly 40% of all Travis County mothers began prenatal care after the first trimester or received no prenatal care. A lack of or delayed prenatal care was more prevalent for Hispanic mothers (54.3% of all Hispanic mothers) and African American mothers (43.6% of all African American mothers). Rates of uninsured in Travis County are lower than the state, but still well above the national rate, with an estimated 22% of the population lacking health insurance.†

† Travis County Health and Human Services: 2009 Community Impact Report

Some local efforts to improve this indicator

• Any Baby Can’s mission is to ensure that all children reach their potential through education, therapy, and family support services. They provide support for families caring for a child with special needs, therapies and support for children with, or at-risk for developmental delays, prenatal education to at-risk pregnant women, and childbirth, parenting and literacy programs.
• The Easter Seals Central Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program serves babies and toddlers, aged birth to 36 months, with developmental delays or disabilities. Easter Seals’ staff of early childhood specialists, therapists, social workers, and other professionals work in homes, childcare facilities, and other community settings to conduct evaluations and provide services to children and their families.

For more efforts, information, strategies or practices to improve this indicator, click here.

A Closer look at the story behind the indicators

Definition: The percent of births to women who received no prenatal care, or care after the first trimester. Data Source: Bureau of Vital Statistics, Texas Department of State Health Services, 2005-2006 Data Considerations:  Texas introduced a new birth certificate in 2005, changing the categorization of the inadequate prenatal care data. Now, inadequate prenatal care is defined as receiving no prenatal care or only receiving prenatal care after the first trimester. Data from 2005 or later cannot be compared to earlier prenatal care data.

Above: In Travis County, 40% of women in 2006 received late or no prenatal care.

The following individuals/organizations contributed to the development of this indicator.