× The federal government has shut down due to the failures of the President and Congress to continue government funding. Millions of Californians receiving benefits from state programs may be impacted. For now, California’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue to provide services and enroll eligible families as long as funding is available. No new federal funding to California WIC will be provided until the President and Congress take action. Families should continue to use their WIC benefits and attend their WIC appointments. This information is subject to change, so please monitor the California WIC website for updates.

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California BIRTH Defects Monitoring

What are Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)?

NTDs occur when the neural tube does not close properly. The neural tube forms the early brain and spine. These types of birth defects develop very early during pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. The two most common NTDs are spina bifida (a spinal cord defect) and anencephaly (a brain defect).

Content provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For information and references about NTDs, please visit: Facts about Neural Tube Defects, What is Spina Bifida? and Facts about Encephalocele.

Mother's Age	Prevalence Rate (per 10,000 births)
<20	9.3
20-24	7.0
25-29	5.2
30-34	8.1
35-39	7.5
40+	9.6
All Births	7.0

Mother's Race/Ethnicity*	Prevalence Rate
White	4.8
Black	3.3
Hispanic	6.3
Asian/Pacific Islander	1.9

*White, Black, Asian/Pacific Islander categories are all non-Hispanic

Data Source: California Birth Defects Monitoring Program Registry, 2012-2016 (PDF)

California Central Valley Counties (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare).

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