Birth Defects Register

The South Australian Birth Defects Register (SABDR) collects information on all children born in South Australia who have a significant birth defect detected in the first five years of life. This information can be used to detect real increases in the frequency of birth defects or to reassure people when, what seems to be an increase in birth defects, is only the result of the usual variations that happen within a population.

A birth defect is defined as any abnormality, structural or functional, identified up to the child's fifth birthday, provided that the condition had its origin before birth. Notifications are received from a wide range of doctors and health professionals who care for children with birth defects.

The SABDR is involved in several research projects and produces the SA Birth Defects Register Annual Report, which incorporates the Annual Report of Prenatal Diagnosis in South Australia.

The SABDR is part of the Paediatric Rehabilitation Department at the WCH.

Resources and Publications

Prenatal Screening for Congenital Anomalies – Annual Reports

Prenatal Screening for Congenital Anomalies 2013 (Published 2017)  (775kb)

Earlier reports are available upon request. Please contact us if you require copies of reports
not available here.

South Australian Birth Defects Register – Annual Reports

Birth Defects in South Australia 2016 – Annual Report (Published 2020)  (1.6mb)

Birth Defects in South Australia 2013 – Annual Report 2013 (Published 2018)  (2.9mb)

Earlier reports are available upon request. Please contact us if you require copies of reports
not available here.

South Australian Birth Defect Register – Guidelines for Researchers  (141kb)

Pregnancy Outcome Unit  (SA Health)
     – includes 'Pregnancy Outcome in South Australia' annual reports.

Contact details

Register Office Location

Paediatric Rehabilitation Department
Level 1, Rieger Building
Women's and Children's Hospital

Mailing Address

South Australian Birth Defects Register
Women's and Children's Hospital
72 King William Road
North Adelaide  SA  5006

Phone/fax/email

Phone (08) 8161 7368

Email : sabdr@health.sa.gov.au

last modified: 17 Feb 2021

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