Birth Defects are common, costly, and dangerous; Jan 2014 is Birth Defects Prevention Month. This year the health care organization is concentrating on increasing awareness of the occurrence of birth defects and techniques that prevent birth defects and their compilations.
It is found that in every 4 1/2 minutes a baby take birth with birth defect. Birth problems impact 1 in every 33 children which are born in the United States. Babies who endure and live with birth problems are at increased risk for developing many long term physical, cognitive, and social difficulties. Health care and support solutions only scrape the surface of the financial and psychological impact of living with birth defects. However, early recognition of a child with a birth defect along with early involvement solutions typically enhances the kid's quality of life and may save a kid's life.
Increasing awareness of risks for birth defects, both among the community and the medical care group, can help to considerably restrict the incident of beginning problems. Although not all birth problems can be avoided, the threat for many birth defects can be decreased with the help of healthy lifestyle and medical treatments before and during maternity. Please motivate all women who can become pregnant or are expecting to reduce their chance of having a baby with a birth defect by following some of the primary health recommendations throughout their reproduction years, including:
- Consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily without failing
- Control chronic maternal illnesses like diabetes, seizure disorders, or phenylketonuria (PKU).
- Regularly go to your health experts. Converse to them about taking any medications, including prescription and over-the contradict medicines and dietary or herbal supplements, and take only what is needed. Talk with your doctor before starting or stopping any medication.
- Try to maintain healthy weight before pregnant.
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and illicit street drugs
- Avoid toxic substances (PDF) at home and at work
- Make sure protection against intimate partner violence
- Plan carefully. Avoid using contraceptive pill. If taking contraceptive pill that increase the risk for birth defects.
- Recognize your family medical history, potential genetic risks and seek reproductive genetic counseling.