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California biobank program

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The California Biobank Program (CBP) represents the combined biospecimen and data resources of two California Department of Public Health (CDPH) screening and monitoring programs, the California Genetic Disease Screening Program (GDSP) and the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program (CBDMP).  GDSP administers both the Newborn Screening Program (NBS) and the Prenatal Screening Program (PNS), one of the largest and most comprehensive screening programs in the world.

GDSP screens approximately 500,000 newborns each year for over 80 genetic and congenital disorders and over 350,000 pregnant women for Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and neural tube defects.

The California Birth Defects Monitoring Program administered by the Genetic Disease Screening Program (GDSP), began tracking birth defects in 1983, and is recognized as a model for birth defects surveillance. CBDMP maintains a registry of data on children with serious major malformations.

The CBP has been mandated to make specimens and data available to researchers for the following approved purposes:

  • Identify risk factors for children's and women's diseases.
  • Develop and evaluate screening tests.
  • Develop and evaluate screening strategies.
  • Develop and evaluate treatments.
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