Results from our 2024 Registry report provides data on the most frequently reported birth defects. Below is a summary of the most common structural birth defects identified.
What are examples of structural birth defects?
Examples of structural birth defects include neural tube defects (spina bifida, anencephaly), congenital heart defects (hypoplastic left heart, tetralogy of Fallot), cleft lip and palate, limb reduction defects, gastroschisis, omphalocele, craniosynostosis, diaphragmatic hernia, microcephaly and others.
Some of the most frequently reported structural conditions, listed by number of cases, include:
| List of Structural Birth Defects | Count |
| Scoliosis | 715 |
| Abnormal Teeth | 568 |
| Cleft Palate | 354 |
| Gastroschisis | 344 |
| Malformed Fingers, Hands Or Arms | 341 |
| Muscle (Absent Or Underdeveloped) | 302 |
| Malformed Toes, Feet Or Legs | 296 |
| Undescended Testicles | 287 |
| Clubfoot | 276 |
| High Arched Palate | 261 |
| Hydrocephalus | 256 |
| Ventricular Septal Defect | 255 |
| External Ear Or Ears (Absent of Malformed) | 230 |
| Atrial Septal Defect | 227 |
| Reduction Deformity Upper Limb | 222 |
| Facial Asymmetry | 221 |
| Lung (Absent Or Underdeveloped) | 221 |
| Cleft Lip | 216 |
Since May of 2024, parents have completed 5729 questionnaires with case reports for 6588 children (more than one child in a family can be reported on a questionnaire) in the on-‐line National Birth Defect Registry. We have reports for 3397 males, 3173 females and 18 cases where the sex was not entered.
For daily information about new research on birth defects, visit our 
