Prevalence of birth defects in Oregon foster children

This study examined the prevalence of birth defects and possible fetal alcohol syndrome in foster children ages 0-4 in Oregon, through analysis of Medicaid/CHIP data. Approximately 136,000 children born during the years 2001-2005 were on Medicaid or CHIP sometime during 2001-2005 in Oregon. Of these, approximately 8400, or 6%, were foster children sometime during 2001-2005. Claims for all children during 2001-2005 were analyzed for a set of 108 ICD-9 birth defect codes, and children with one or more of the codes were identified. In addition, children were identified who had been diagnosed with 760.71, as an indicator of possible fetal alcohol syndrome. Of the 136,000 children, approximately 5400 (4%) had at least one birth defect, and 197 (approximately .15%) were diagnosed with possible fetal alcohol syndrome. The prevalence was even higher among the 8400 children who were in foster care: approximately 570 foster children (7%) had at least one birth defect, and 2% had more than one, with as many as 12. 150 foster children (approximately 1.8%) were diagnosed with possible fetal alcohol syndrome. This number was higher than the number diagnosed with any one of the birth defects. 24% of the foster children with a diagnosis of possible fetal alcohol syndrome had at least one other birth defect. 21% of the foster children with possible fetal alcohol syndrome were American Indian/Alaska Native, as compared to only 2% of the Medicaid children overall. In conclusion, Medicaid/CHIP data can be a rich resource for information about birth defects in foster children.