What is registered in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway?

What is registered? 

All births and spontaneous abortions after the 12^th week of pregnancy are subject to registration in the MBRN. Until May 31^st 2025, abortions allowed by abortion boards according to § 2 third section of the Abortion Act of 1975 were also subject to registration in MBRN. From June 1^st 2025, abortions allowed by abortion boards according to § 3 second section of the Abortion Act of 2024 are subject to registration.

Health personnel who provide healthcare at maternity wards, gynecological clinics, fertility clinics and neonatal intensive care units in Norway must report the information.

The following information is registered:

• Information about the identity of the child and parents
• Information about the mother's health before and during pregnancy, as well as any complications during pregnancy and/or at birth.
• Information about the child’s health at birth and during its first year of life, for instance whether the child is born alive or stillborn, and congenital diseases or malformations if relevant
• Information about assisted reproduction

Right of reservation

There is a right of reservation related to the registration of some information in the MBRN:

• Mother's occupational status, smoking habits, and use of alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy
• Permanent registration of directly identifiable personal information about women who have had an abortion according to the Abortion Act of 1975 § 2 third section letter c. Such abortions are allowed if "there is a great risk that the child may develop a severe disease, as a result of hereditary factors, illness or harmful influences during pregnancy" (NIPH translation).
• Permanent registration of directly identifiable personal information about women who have had an abortion according to the Abortion Act of 2024 § 3 second section letter c. Such abortions are allowed if “it is likely that the fetus has a severe condition, or that the fetus will die during pregnancy or shortly after birth” (NIPH translation).
• Permanent registration of directly identifiable personal information about women who have had an abortion according to the Abortion Act of 2024 § 3 second section letter d, if the abortion is allowed fully or partly due to the medical conditions of the fetus. Such abortions are allowed if “medical conditions of the fetus, conditions of the pregnant person, the pregnant person’s life situation or a combination of these make the pregnancy, birth, upbringing or future care for the child particularly demanding” (NIPH translation).
• Information about assisted reproduction

Contact NIPH about possible deletion

Those registered in the MBRN who have not been informed of their right of reservation as described in the previous section, and who wish this information to be deleted, may contact the NIPH.

• Link to pdf will be published soon