Methods for a public health response to birth defects clusters

Few resources are available to guide public health officials in investigations of reported birth defects clusters. The majority of published resources focus on the investigation of cancer and infectious disease clusters and do not address clinical and epidemiologic concerns specific to birth defects research. This document aims to address these concerns, discuss the needs of the affected community, and provide suggestions for the development of a standardized protocol to be used as a guide in the investigation of birth defects clusters. We suggest that health departments and birth defects registries that may receive reports of birth defects clusters establish a protocol for responding that includes the following steps: develop a proactive plan for future birth defects cluster reports (step I), receive report of a birth defects cluster (step II), verify diagnoses and complete case ascertainment (step III), compare the observed rate to a reference rate (step IV), ascertain exposures among cases from available records (step V), interview case mothers (step VI), initiate further epidemiologic study-selection of controls (step VII), and communicate results to the community (step VIII). Specific criteria for continuing or terminating an investigation should be established before receiving cluster reports. The recommendations in this report should be carefully considered to ensure that the specific needs of the region, agency and affected community are met.