Birth Defect Research for Children
Birth Defect Research for Children (BDRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the National Birth Defect Registry, which uniquely collects both maternal and paternal exposure data on structural and functional birth defects. Founded in 1982 and based in Orlando, Florida, BDRC serves affected families, expectant parents, and community groups across the United States free of charge.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersOrlando, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Birth Defect Research for Children does
Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc. (BDRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered at 976 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite 104, Orlando, Florida. It serves parents of children with structural or functional birth defects, expectant parents, community groups investigating birth-defect clusters, and veterans' families exposed to military toxins. The Director, Betty Mekdeci, has led the organization since the early 1990s.
The organization's core product is the National Birth Defect Registry — a free, confidential, web-based data collection platform (registry.birthdefects.org) where families submit comprehensive maternal and paternal exposure data and family health histories. BDRC distinguishes itself globally as the only organization collecting data on both maternal AND paternal exposures and on both structural (e.g., cleft palate, congenital heart defects) AND functional (e.g., autism, ADHD) birth defects. This dual-axis dataset has accumulated since the 1990s and underpinned a 5,060-case Maternal Exposures Report in 2024. Complementary offerings include medically reviewed fact sheets on hundreds of defects and environmental toxins, a parent-matching service, a closed Facebook parent forum, and a Community Resource Center assisting neighborhoods (Alaska, Joplin MO, Dickson TN) investigating birth-defect clusters. Strategic research collaborations include the University of South Carolina (since 1986), the New Jersey Agent Orange Commission, the University of Texas, and Alaska Community Action on Toxics.
BDRC operates entirely free of charge to families and is funded through individual donations (recurring tiers $5-$100/month), the Dorothy and Hugh Casey Endowment, and public charitable contributions. The organization states that 94 cents of every donated dollar over the past five years has supported registry research and parent services. Distribution is digital-first (website, email newsletter, Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube) with phone/email support, and operations remain confined to the United States.
Birth Defect Research for Children firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Birth Defect Research for Children
- Legal name
- Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc.
- Website
- https://birthdefects.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Birth Defect Research for Children (BDRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the National Birth Defect Registry, which uniquely collects both maternal and paternal exposure data on structural and functional birth defects. Founded in 1982 and based in Orlando, Florida, BDRC serves affected families, expectant parents, and community groups across the United States free of charge.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Birth Defect Research for Children industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Birth Defect Research and Family Support Services
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Parenting Education for Special Needs & Developmental Differences (EDACALAK)
Keywords
Where Birth Defect Research for Children is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Orlando
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Birth Defect Research for Children business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Birth Defect Research for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies primarily on donations from individuals, foundations, and the public. The organization states that over the past 5 years, 94 cents of every dollar donated has supported registry research and parent services. Recurring donation options are available at monthly tiers ranging from $5 to $100.
- Dorothy and Hugh Casey Endowment: The organization can continue its important work because of a generous endowment from Dorothy Casey Miller in honor of her husband, Major General Hugh Casey. This endowment provides ongoing financial support for operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Supporter - $5/month recurring donation |
| Subscription | Monthly | Friend - $10/month recurring donation |
| Subscription | Monthly | Champion - $25/month recurring donation |
| Subscription | Monthly | Hero - $50/month recurring donation |
| Subscription | Monthly | Superhero - $100/month recurring donation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Birth Defect Research for Children product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Birth Defect Research for Children operates the National Birth Defect Registry, a free, confidential online data collection platform where families contribute comprehensive family health histories combined with maternal and paternal environmental and lifestyle exposure data to support research into causes of structural and functional birth defects. The organization complements the registry with parent support services including parent matching, an extensive library of medically reviewed fact sheets, community resource services, and specialized research programs on veterans' children.
Product overview
Birth Defect Research for Children (BDRC) operates primarily as a research and information services organization rather than a traditional software product company. The core offering is the National Birth Defect Registry, a free, confidential online database where families contribute health and exposure data through web-based surveys to support research on birth defect causes. This is complemented by an extensive library of fact sheets covering birth defects (structural and functional), environmental toxins, and practical how-to guides for parents. Additional services include parent matching to connect families with similar experiences, a private parent forum, community resource support for neighborhoods investigating birth defect clusters, and specialized research programs on veterans' children's health. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has operated since 1982.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- National Birth Defect Registry A secure, confidential online data collection database enabling parents and families to contribute comprehensive family health histories combined with environmental and lifestyle exposure data to support research on causes of structural and functional birth defects. Participation is free and accessible via web-based surveys at registry.birthdefects.org.
- Parent Matching Service A free service that connects families whose children have similar birth defects or conditions, facilitating peer support, shared experiences, and community building among affected families nationwide.
- Community Resource Center Services for communities concerned about increases in birth defects and developmental disabilities, offering environmental investigation support and assistance in identifying potential environmental toxin exposure sources. Engagements have included Alaska Native communities and Joplin, Missouri.
- Veterans Research Program A specialized research program documenting birth defects and disabilities in children of veterans exposed to military toxins, including Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and Gulf War veterans. The program is conducted in collaboration with the University of South Carolina and state Agent Orange commissions.
- Registry Research Projects Targeted research initiatives drawing on National Birth Defect Registry data to investigate environmental and genetic causes of specific birth defects, including studies on gastroschisis (252 cases with the University of Texas), autism, Gulf War birth defects, and Agent Orange effects.
Companies that use Birth Defect Research for Children
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Birth Defect Research for Children technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Birth Defect Research for Children partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Dr. Niel Dalal at the University of TexasminorCollaborated with Dr. Niel Dalal on a study of 252 gastroschisis cases. BDRC contributed registry data to support academic research on environmental and genetic factors associated with this stomach defect which is increasing in reporting systems around the world.
- Alaska Community Action on ToxicsminorBDRC participated in conference calls with Alaska Native community representatives and Dr. Ted Schettler regarding concerns about birth defects reported in Alaska communities potentially linked to environmental toxin exposures.
- University of South CarolinacoreLong-standing research collaboration with the University of South Carolina, particularly on studying birth defects among children of Vietnam veterans. This partnership contributed to establishing the National Birth Defect Registry to document disabilities being reported by veteran families.
- New Jersey Agent Orange CommissioncoreCollaborated with the New Jersey Agent Orange Commission (a state agency) to help establish a national registry of children of Vietnam Veterans. Jointly presented data to the National Academy of Sciences in 1996 on patterns of birth defects in children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
- United SteelworkersminorUnited Steelworkers asked BDRC to review birth defect data from Joplin, Missouri, where the incidence of birth defects was higher than the county and state averages. BDRC provided expertise in analyzing environmental exposure concerns in the community.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Birth Defect Research for Children competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research: International consortium focused on birth defect surveillance and research across member countries. Directly comparable in collecting and analyzing birth defect data for research, though at a multinational scale.
- Spina Bifida Association: Nonprofit focused on a specific category of structural birth defects, providing research funding, advocacy, and parent support. Comparable as a peer nonprofit delivering disease-specific education and family services for a single birth defect.
- March of Dimes: Large U.S. nonprofit focused on maternal and infant health, including birth defects research, prevention, and family support. Directly comparable as a peer nonprofit serving pregnant women and families affected by birth defects, though at materially larger scale.
- National Birth Defects Prevention Network: Network of birth defects programs and researchers focused on surveillance and prevention. Comparable as a peer entity working on birth defect data collection, surveillance, and prevention research in the U.S.
- MotherToBaby (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists): Provides evidence-based information on exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding that may cause birth defects. Directly comparable mission of educating parents about environmental and medication-related causes of birth defects.
Broad incumbents
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Professional membership organization publishing clinical guidance on pregnancy and birth defect prevention. Comparable in shaping parent-facing guidance on exposure risks during pregnancy, though as a physician association rather than a parent services nonprofit.
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD: Federal research institute funding and conducting research on birth defects, child health, and maternal health. Comparable research focus but as a major government funder rather than a parent-facing registry.
- CDC National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities: Federal agency conducting birth defects surveillance, research, and prevention at population scale. Comparable in mission scope but operates with vastly larger resources and statutory authority than BDRC.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Birth Defect Research for Children social profiles
Digital presenceBirth Defect Research for Children financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Birth Defect Research for Children leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Birth Defect Research for Children funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Birth Defect Research for Children M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Birth Defect Research for Children
What does Birth Defect Research for Children do?
Birth Defect Research for Children operates the National Birth Defect Registry, a free, confidential online data collection platform where families contribute comprehensive family health histories combined with maternal and paternal environmental and lifestyle exposure data to support research into causes of structural and functional birth defects. The organization complements the registry with parent support services including parent matching, an extensive library of medically reviewed fact sheets, community resource services, and specialized research programs on veterans' children.
Is Birth Defect Research for Children a public or private company?
Birth Defect Research for Children is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Birth Defect Research for Children founded?
Birth Defect Research for Children was founded in 1982. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Birth Defect Research for Children based?
Birth Defect Research for Children is headquartered in Orlando, United States, in the North America region.
How does Birth Defect Research for Children make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are dorothy and Hugh Casey Endowment.
Who are Birth Defect Research for Children's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research, Spina Bifida Association, March of Dimes, National Birth Defects Prevention Network and MotherToBaby (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists). Broad incumbents are American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD and CDC National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.
Does Birth Defect Research for Children have an API?
No public API is recorded for Birth Defect Research for Children.
What industry is Birth Defect Research for Children in?
Birth Defect Research for Children's product category is Nonprofit Birth Defect Research and Family Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACALAK, Parenting Education for Special Needs & Developmental Differences. Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8731.