More than 100 international organizations and global partners are joining together for World Birth Defects Day, observed every year on March 3, to raise awareness of this serious global problem and advocate for more surveillance, prevention, care, and research to help babies and children. We are urging the public, governments, non-governmental organizations, policymakers, researchers, and health care providers around the world to help us work together toward a healthier future for children.
About 3% - 6%, or more than 10 million babies worldwide, are born each year with a serious birth defect. These numbers reflect real children and families. Birth defects affect infants regardless of birthplace, race, or ethnicity. They are a leading cause of death for infants and young children globally. Those who survive and live with these conditions are at increased risk for lifelong disabilities.
Birth defects are a leading cause of death in the first year of life, and babies who survive may be physically or mentally disabled, taking a costly toll on their families, communities, and nations.
Birth defects are common, costly, and critical conditions that affect 1 in every 33 babies born in the United States each year.1 Read more about what we have learned about birth defects and how women can improve their chances of having a baby born without a birth defect.
Every 4 ½ minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States. That means nearly 120,000 babies are affected by birth defects each year.
Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part or parts of the body (e.g., heart, brain, foot). They may affect how the body looks, works, or both. Birth defects can vary from mild to severe. The well-being of each child affected with a birth defect depends mostly on which organ or body part is involved and how much it is affected. Depending on the severity of the defect and what body part is affected, the expected lifespan of a person with a birth defect may or may not be affected.
A birth defect can be found before birth, at birth, or at any time after birth. Most birth defects are found within the first year of life. Some birth defects (such as cleft lip) are easy to see, but others (such as heart defects or hearing loss) are found using special tests, such as echocardiograms (an ultrasound picture of the heart), x-rays, or hearing tests.
Birth defects can occur during any stage of pregnancy. Most birth defects occur in the first 3 months of pregnancy when the organs of the baby are forming. This is a very important stage of development. However, some birth defects occur later in pregnancy. During the last six months of pregnancy, the tissues and organs continue to grow and develop.
For some birth defects, like fetal alcohol syndrome, we know the cause. But for most birth defects, we don’t know what causes them. For most birth defects, we think they are caused by a complex mix of factors. These factors include our genes (information inherited from our parents), our behaviors, and things in the environment. But, we don’t fully understand how these factors might work together to cause birth defects.
While we still have more work to do, we have learned a lot about birth defects through past research. For example, some things might increase the chances of having a baby with a birth defect, such as:
Having one or more of these risks doesn’t mean you’ll have a pregnancy affected by a birth defect. Also, women can have a baby born with a birth defect even when they don’t have any of these risks. It is important to talk to your doctor about what you can do to lower your risk.
Not all birth defects can be prevented. But, there are things that a woman can do before and during pregnancy to increase her chance of having a healthy baby:
Babies who have birth defects often need special care and interventions to survive and thrive developmentally. State birth defects tracking programs provide one way to identify and refer children as early as possible for services they need. Early intervention is vital to improving outcomes for these babies. If your child has a birth defect, you should ask his or her doctor about local resources and treatment. Geneticists, genetic counselors, and other specialists are another resource.
The CDC has tools and information about birth defects for families:
Find basic information about birth defects, including causes, diagnosis, and prevention.
Learn more about specific birth defects.
Learn ways to help prevent birth defects.
The Health Care Provider’s Role
Find information about what to expect from the child’s health care provider.
Learn about genetics and how a genetic counselor can help families that have a child with a birth defect.
Get tips for how to connect with other parents who have a child with the same type of birth defect.
View, print and order FREE brochures on how to prevent some birth defects, including:
Find more information and resources on birth defects from other organizations.
Sources:
https://www.marchofdimes.org/world-birth-defects-day.aspx