More than 8 million babies worldwide are born with a birth defect each year. Birth defects cause 1 out of every 5 deaths in infants and lead to lifelong disabilities and challenges for those who do survive.
World Birth Defects Day (WBDD), observed on March 3 each year, unites people and organizations working in the field of birth defects, also known as congenital anomalies, congenital disorders or congenital conditions. There are many types of birth defects and this day recognizes our collective voice in raising awareness for all birth defects (#manybirthdefects1voice). On March 3, HNN joins other organizations in raising awareness about birth defects.
Join the “Participating Organizations” around the world in calling attention to birth defects on WBDD.
Published Research Studies & Resources
- The National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) has a list of articles of potential interest available at: /www.nbdpn.org/resources.php
- The International Clearinghouse of Birth Defects Surveillance and Research (ICBDSR) publishes a monthly newsletter that includes articles of interest at: http://www.icbdsr.org/resources/monthly-newsletter-clearinghouse/
- Overview of birth defects
- US National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/birthdefects (English)
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/index.html (English, Spanish)
- The World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int/topics/congenital_anomalies/ (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish)
- Genetic Alliance South Africa: http://www.geneticalliance.org.za/about/congenital-disorders/
- Specific Birth Defect Information
- March of Dimes: www.marchofdimes.org/complications/birth-defects-and-health-conditions.aspx
- Spina Bifida: http://www.apebi.org.ar/index.php/informacion/prevencion (Spanish)
- Medications and Pregnancy
- Mother to Baby is a resource for information on taking medications during pregnancy or breastfeeding and has an option to talk to an expert at https://mothertobaby.org/ (English, Spanish)
- Preventing Some Birth Defects
- 5 Tips To Reduce the Risk of Birth Defects: www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Reduce-the-Risk-of-Birth-Defects.aspx (English, Spanish)
- From WorldBDDay Partners
- Tiny Beating Hearts-Nigeria: https://tinybeatinghearts.org/category/pregnancy/
Visit the World Birth Defects Day site for more resources, information and ways to get involved.