A SPECIAL REPORT SERIES BY THE N.C. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
STATE CENTER FOR HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS
P.O. BOX 29538. RALEIGH. N.C. 27626-0538
No. 68 June 1992
QUALITY OF THE NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE DATA:
A FOLLOW-BACK STUDY IN NORTH CAROLINA
by
Paul A. Buescher
Karen V. Pinnex
Mary H. Davis
J. Michael Bowling
ABSTRACT
A random sample of 395 North Carolina birth certificates was selected firom live births occurring in
December 1989, and the corresponding maternal hospital medical records were visually examined to
validate data recorded on the birth certificates. Emphasis was on data items added to the birth certificate
in 1988. It was assumed that the information in the medical record was more likely to be correct.
Birthweight, Apgar score, and method of delivery were found to be very accurately reported on the birth
certificates. Reporting was fair to good for tobacco use, prenatal care, weight gain during pregnancy,
obstetrical procedures, and events of labor and delivery. Reporting on birth certificates was poor for
medical history, alcohol use, conditions of the newborn, and congenital anomalies. Grouping birth
certificate items into larger categories (e.g., trimester prenatal care began rather than exact month) will
improve accuracy. This study suggests that many of the new birth certificate data will support valid
aggregate analyses for maternal and child health research and evaluation.
Note: Paul Buescher, Karen Pinnex, and Mike Bowling are statisticians in the State Center forHealth and
Environmental Statistics. Mary Davis, who is in the Vital Records Section, did the review of
hospital records for this study. She has over 20 years of medical records experience.