× The federal government has shut down due to the failures of the President and Congress to continue government funding. Millions of Californians receiving benefits from state programs may be impacted. For now, California’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue to provide services and enroll eligible families as long as funding is available. No new federal funding to California WIC will be provided until the President and Congress take action. Families should continue to use their WIC benefits and attend their WIC appointments. This information is subject to change, so please monitor the California WIC website for updates.

Please be wary of potential highly partisan political messaging while visiting federal government websites for information related to the federal government shutdown.

Skip Navigation LinksLimb-Deficiencies

Top Menu
Left Menu

California BIRTH Defects Monitoring

What are Limb Deficiencies?

Upper and lower limb reduction defects occur when a part of or the entire arm (upper limb) or leg (lower limb) of a fetus fails to form completely during pregnancy. The defect is referred to as a “limb reduction” because a limb is reduced from its normal size or is missing.

Content provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For information and references about prevention, please visit Facts about Upper and Lower Limb Reduction Defects | CDC ​.

Rates of Limb Deficiencies: 2018–2020​

Overall​

​​Rates of Limb Deficiencies​
 ​Prevalence Rate*
​All Deliveries
 3.3

By Age

Mother’s Age (Years) ​Prevalence Rate*
​24 and under
 4.3
​25–29
 2.9
​30–34
 2.7
​35–39
 3.8
​40 and over
 2.3

​By Race and Ethnicity

​Mother’s Race and Ethnicity
 ​Prevalence Rate*
​American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Other/Non-Hispanic
 ​not applicable**
​Asian/Non-Hispanic
 1.2
​Black/Non-Hispanic
 4.2
​Hispanic
 ​3.6
White/Non-Hispanic
 2.5

*Per 10,000 live births

**No cases in 2018–2020

Data Source: California Birth Defects Monitoring Program Registry, 2018–​2020, California 10-County Catchment Area (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Orange, San Diego, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare)

Back to Data Sheets​​​​​​​

Page Last Updated :