Legislative findings and declarations

1. The Legislature finds and declares that: major birth defects occur in approximately 1% of all births and are related to over 25% of all infant deaths; while the cause of many birth defects is unknown, there is much concern that certain birth defects may be related to environmental factors such as pollution and toxic chemicals; about 60% of newborns develop jaundice, which is caused by a buildup of bilirubin, pigment that results from the natural breakdown of red blood cells, and toxic levels of bilirubin can cause severe neurological damage, called kernicterus, which is associated with cerebral palsy, mental retardation, hearing loss and complications with vision and teeth; in order to effectively address these public health problems, it is necessary to collect and compile complete and accurate information concerning the occurrence of birth defects and cases of severe hyperbilirubinemia in this State; and a birth defects and severe neonatal jaundice registry would provide a needed base of information to analyze these problems and plan for and provide services to children with birth defects and severe hyperbilirubinemia and their families.