Birth defects remain under recognized: WHO

World Birth Defects Day on 3 March comes at a time when the spotlight is on Zika virus and its suspected relation with clusters of neurological abnormalities. The WHO says that an estimated 276 000 babies die within the first month as a result of birth defects, yet they remain under recognized.

“The most common birth defects in WHO South-East Asia Region are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down’s syndrome, with the most severe defects occurring in middle and low resource settings. Birth defects are a major cause of still-births and neonatal mortality,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO’s regional director for south-east Asia. She added that those who survive birth defects often suffer long-term disability.

Birth defects can be genetic, infectious, nutritional or environmental in origin. “Many birth defects can be prevented by taking appropriate measures before and during pregnancy. Rubella vaccination, adequate intake of folic acid, iodine through fortification of staple foods and salt or supplements, and adequate antenatal care are keys steps for prevention of birth defects,” she added.

WHO has established a web-based new-born and birth defect (NBBD) surveillance network in 150 hospitals in eight south east Asian countries with the support of the CDC-USA. In view of WHO declaring clusters of microcephaly in Latin America as Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 1 February, an online system has been added to the NBBD network to report on head circumference in all births. This is to monitor the occurrence of microcephaly in the South-East Asia Region.