CDC Data & Statistics | Feature: Birth defects were top cause of infant death in most recent data release.

 

Proper healthcare before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects associated with risks, including diabetes, and other poor outcomes, such as miscarriage or stillbirth.

National Birth Defects Prevention Month

The top 10 causes of infant deaths in 2006 were birth defects (5,819); low birth weight and prematurity (4,841); SIDS [Sudden Infant Death Syndrome] (2,323); maternal complications (1,683); accidents/unintentional injuries (1,147); complications of placenta, cord, and membranes (1,140); respiratory distress of newborn (825); bacterial sepsis of newborn (807); neonatal hemorrhage (618); and diseases of the circulatory system (543) (1).

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Birth defects affect approximately one in 33 newborns and are a leading cause of infant mortality in the United States (1, 2). Lifetime care for all infants born in a single year with one or more of 17 severe birth defects has been estimated at $6 billion (3).

This year's prevention month focuses on diabetes and birth defects. Diabetes is often diagnosed in women during their childbearing years and can affect the health of both the mother and her unborn child. Poor control of diabetes in a woman who is pregnant increases the chances for birth defects and other problems for the baby (4). Proper healthcare before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects associated with risks, including diabetes, and other poor outcomes, such as miscarriage or stillbirth…

CDC Data & Statistics | Feature: Birth defects were top cause of infant death in most recent data release.