World Birth Defects Day
The World Birth Defects Day (WBDD) is observed on March 3 each year. WBDD unites stakeholders working in the field of birth defects, also known as congenital anomalies, congenital disorders or congenital conditions to raise awareness. The first WBDD was observed on 2015 with the aim to provide one global voice and a platform to all organizations and institutions engaged in birth defects related surveillance, research, prevention and care activities.
The major objectives of World Birth Defects Day are;
- To prevent birth defects
- To Improve care of all individuals with any birth defect and related disabilities
- To Increase knowledge of the burden and causes of birth defects through epidemiologic and basic research.
Birth Defects facts
- Birth defects, or congenital anomalies, are conditions that cause structural or functional abnormalities present at birth that can be identified at different stages of infancy. A specific birth defect may be caused by genetics, environmental exposures, infections, maternal nutrition, or other risk factors.
- An estimated 303 000 newborns die every year, worldwide, due to birth defects – out of which an estimated 90 000 deaths occur in South-East Asia.
- An estimated 240 000 newborns die worldwide within 28 days of birth every year due to birth defects. Birth defects cause a further 170 000 deaths of children between the ages of 1 month and 5 years.
- Nine of ten children born with a serious birth defect are in low- and middle-income countries.
- Birth defects affect nearly 8 million infants, or 6% of all infants, born globally each year.
- The most common severe birth defects are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down syndrome.
- Babies who survive may have a good quality of life with appropriate treatment or care, however many infants are at an increased risk for long-term disabilities.
- Many birth defects can be prevented and treated. Help spread global awareness for World Birth Defects Day.
Key Message
- Birth defects are common, costly and critical.
- Folic acid can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine
- Taking 400ug of folic acid daily before and during pregnancy can prevent birth defects.
- Consult with your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medications during pregnancy.
- Attend prenatal care appointments and become up-to-date on all vaccines.
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking other drugs during pregnancy.
- Birth defects surveillance and research can help improve pregnancy and infant outcomes.
Source of Info: WHO &World Birth Defects Day Official website.
Message from Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia
World Birth Defects Day, marked annually on 03 March, aims to raise awareness about prevention programs and improving the quality of services and care received by people with congenital anomalies, disorders or conditions.
This year, WHO is highlighting the urgent need for countries to raise awareness about birth defects, and strengthen health systems response to the specific health, development, and psychosocial needs of this population. This is coupled with the need for actions to prevent, detect and manage these congenital anomalies.
Birth defects have a significant impact on the quality of life of an individual, and place considerable burden on the families, community, society and the health-care systems. While genetics plays a major role in their etiology, many birth defects are preventable through health system interventions (rubella vaccination, identification and management of sexually transmitted infections in pregnancy, etc.) and by addressing environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants, lifestyle choices and socioeconomic conditions that affect pregnant women and fetuses.
During the past two decades, the contribution of birth defects to the cause of death among under-5 children has increased from 3.9% to 11.5% in our region. Birth defects are now the third most common cause of death (11%) among under-5 children in our region – approximately 300 every day. Additionally, they cause severe morbidity which usually is ignored or not highlighted.
Since 2014, WHO has supported all countries of the region to adopt integrated approaches for prevention, detection, management and care for birth defects. This is through collaborative actions across different national programmes for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health; immunization; nutrition; noncommunicable diseases and other related programmes.
This has resulted in increased coverage of pre-conception folic acid supplementation, enhanced coverage of routine childhood rubella vaccination, introduction of various food fortification programmes, and establishment of a hospital-based online surveillance system (known as the SEAR Newborn Birth Defects database).
Across the Region, pregnant women receive counselling to avoid potentially harmful medications, X-rays, tobacco products, alcohol and drugs. Basic services for the management of birth defects are available in most countries. However, access to advanced treatments, rehabilitation and support for affected babies and families is limited; and access to screening is sub-optimal.
A strong focus on birth defects is supported by our Regional Roadmap for Results and Resilience, which calls for “reaffirming investment in women, girls, adolescents and vulnerable populations.”
Our Region has identified several priorities. First, countries need to prioritize birth defects high on their agenda, mobilize commitment and leadership at both policy and programme levels, with commensurate financial allocations.
Second, enhance the health system capacity for early detection and management, by introducing and scaling-up tests for newborn screening of birth defects and other conditions. The regional implementation document developed last year, for universal newborn screening of hearing impairment, eye abnormalities, and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia provides guidance on how to integrate simple tests within the existing health system.
Third, efforts should be directed towards recognizing the challenges and reducing the burden of parents, caregivers and families of children with birth defects. Countries must work together with partners, community-based networks, academic and research institutes, and organizations to enable access to services and support, including social protection.
Fourth, improving the coverage and quality of preventive interventions such as rubella immunization, food fortification and quality pre-conception and antenatal care, is imperative.
Finally, countries need to invest in establishing or strengthening their birth defect surveillance systems – with a particular focus on improving the availability, analysis and utilization of relevant data for programmatic decision-making.On World Birth Defects Day 2025, let us remind ourselves that ‘every journey matters’.
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