Start: January 1-January 30, 2024
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and is a nationwide effort to raise awareness of birth defects and the impact on families.
Birth defects can be diagnosed during pregnancy or after the baby is born. Birth defects occur when there are structural changes during the first three months of pregnancy affecting one or more parts of the body. About 1 in 33 babies (3%) are born in the United States is born with a birth defect. Birth defects are also the leading cause of infant deaths accounting for 20% of all infant deaths.
Types of birth defects include:
- Anencephaly
- Spina Bifida
- Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate
- Down Syndrome
- Microcephaly
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Edwards Syndrome
- Patau Syndrome
Not all birth defects are preventable however, the following are steps you can take for a healthy baby:
- Try to prevent infections.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Get 400 units of folic acid every day.
- See a healthcare professional on a regular basis.
Updated 12/29/23