Medical Birth Registry of Norway - purpose and responsibilities
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The Medical Birth Registry (MBRN) is a national health registry containing information about all births in Norway. The registry will help to clarify the causes and consequences of health problems related to pregnancy and birth, as well as to monitor the incidence of congenital abnormalities.
What is registered?
All births and spontaneous abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy are subject to registration in the MBRN. Until May 31st 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 1st 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.
Surveillance and research
The information reported to the MBRN provides knowledge and information about maternal and child health problems during pregnancy and birth. The information is used for:
- surveillance
- research, with the aim of preventing health problems
- providing a scientific basis for advice and information to healthcare professionals, authorities and the general public
- management, planning and quality assurance of health services and health administration
- compilation of statistics
MBRNs research relates to "causal factors of significance for disease and disability in newborns and infants." It is essentially in two parts: partly to clarify the causes of birth defects and other health problems related to pregnancy and childbirth and partly to illustrate the consequences of such risk factors for later health and disability.
Access to research data and statistics
The MBRN will help to make data easily accessible and has a designated section that retrieves and prepares data from the birth registry for researchers and others. If you need additional data or statistics beyond those published on our website, please contact us.
Scientific Committee for the Medical Birth Registry
The committee consists of an equal distribution of midwives and obstetricians, representing all the health regions and the various maternity institution categories. The Norwegian Gynecological Association, the Norwegian Midwifery Association and the Midwifery Association are also represented. The committee gives advice and input on all matters that are important both for the Medical Birth Registry and the reporting institutions.