The Danish Medical Birth Registry

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Public Health Surveillance
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Established in 1968, the Danish Medical Birth Registry (MBR) has been computerized since 1973.
• The MBR's primary aim is to monitor newborn health and the quality of antenatal and delivery care.
• Significant updates to the MBR occurred in 1978 and 1991, evolving its content and utility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the historical content and evolving usage of the Danish Medical Birth Registry.
• To explore the MBR's application in research, both as a standalone and linked data source.
• To identify future research directions and potential applications for the MBR.

Main Methods:

• Review of the Danish Medical Birth Registry's historical data and documentation.
• Analysis of studies utilizing MBR data, including linkage with other registries and surveys.
• Examination of data validation reports and quality control measures.

Main Results:

• The MBR has been employed in diverse studies, individually or linked with other data sources.
• Data quality validation reveals variability based on the source, emphasizing the need for ongoing quality assurance.
• Access to individual-level MBR data is strictly regulated by the Data Surveillance Authority and the National Board of Health.

Conclusions:

• The period from conception to early childhood is critical for long-term individual health.
• The Danish Medical Birth Registry is an underutilized asset for health research and monitoring.
• Maintaining high registry quality necessitates close collaboration with healthcare professionals involved in delivery services.