CDC has previously implemented population based case control studies of birth defects known as the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) for births from 1997-2011 and the Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD-STEPS I) which started with births in 2014 and is ongoing. The purpose of BD-STEPS II is to identify causes of birth defects and stillbirths using epidemiologic and genetic research methods and provide information that could be translated into public health prevention messages. The activities under this NOFO will be supported by two separate but related funding...

For an application to be considered, it must be responsive to the following special eligibility requirements: Component A. BD-STEPS II CORE recipient: Access to a pre-existing population-based birth defects surveillance system that can provide data on all birth defects listed in Table 1 and access to necessary data sources to ascertain liveborn control infants (i.e. vital records or birth hospital records) as evidenced by a letter from the State health department or other State or private organization. Description of the selected birth population and geographic area which has to include 30,000 – 75,000 births annually as evidenced by a table listing the counties in the covered area, number of births in 2015 or 2016, and race/ethnic distribution. Evidence of legal access to the birth defects surveillance system is required. If the applicant is not a State health department, inclusion of a letter or memorandum of understanding from the State health department confirming the applicant has access to the necessary data sources in order to ascertain case and control subjects. Access to the state’s National Electronic Disease Surveillance (NEDS) system for ascertainment of reportable infections as evidenced by a letter of support from the State's NEDS program. Component B. BD-STEPS Stillbirth recipient: Access to necessary data sources to ascertain stillborn infants (i.e. fetal death records or birth hospital records) as evidenced by a letter from the State health department or other State or private organization. Description of the selected birth population and geographic area that includes 30,000 – 75,000 births annually as evidenced by a table listing the counties in the covered area, number of births in 2015 or 2016, and race/ethnic distribution. This area has to be the same geographical area as described for Component A.

Marcela Law mah7@cdc.gov