According to a MARCH OF DIMES report almost eight million babies are born every year with birth defects – i.e. six per cent of all births are of infants with a birth defect. Three million of them never reach the age of five.
The problem is much greater in developing countries, says the report. As a result of inadequate health care provision many babies with birth defects die. The report also states that third world countries suffer the most because lack of proper health care, especially maternal care and good nutritional advice, means that many babies are born with defects.
The range of birth defects can be as low as 40 per 1,000 live births, as in France, to 81 per 1,000 as in Saudi Arabia. In the USA the number stands at 48 per 1000 live births – the USA stands at number 20 globally.
Infant death and defects could be reduced significantly if inexpensive health initiatives and prevention programs were implemented. Initiatives such as, genetic testing, nutrition programs, folic acid supplements, prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, infant screening and heart surgery.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today