The most common severe birth defects are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down syndrome, but there are many others, which can be caused by one or more genetic, infectious, nutritional or environmental factors

Globally, an estimated 8 million children are born with a birth defect every year, according to WHO data.

“Nine out of every ten children born with a serious birth defect are in low- and middle-income countries,” the global health body said in its report on World Birth Defects Day. “The most common severe birth defects are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down syndrome, but there are many others, which can be caused by one or more genetic, infectious, nutritional or environmental factors.”

In South-East Asia, the WHO added, birth defects are the third most common cause of child mortality, and the fourth most common cause of neonatal mortality, accounting for 12 percent of all neonatal deaths.

“Between 2010 and 2019, birth defects increased as a proportion of child mortality in the region, from 6.2 percent to 9.2 percent, and in four countries, birth defects now contribute to more than 20% of under-five mortality,” the WHO figures reveal. “In 2019, birth defects contributed to at least 117 000 deaths in the Region, equal to around 22% of the global total.”

Since 2014, WHO has supported all countries of the region to drive rapid, sustained reductions in maternal, newborn and child mortality, which has included targeted action to prevent, detect, manage and care for birth defects. All member states, WHO pointed out, have initiated hospital-based birth defect surveillance and are implementing national action plans to prevent and manage birth defects.

Six member states – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar and Nepal – continue to support a WHO-developed online database to better track birth defects.

“To date, the database has recorded more than 4.7 million births in the region, including about 51 000 infants born with birth defects,” the WHO highlighted. “All countries have initiated routine rubella vaccination for girls, achieving an average coverage rate of 83%. Maldives and Sri Lanka have eliminated rubella, and Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Timor-Leste have controlled congenital rubella syndrome.”

All member states continue to implement folic acid supplementation, and several have fortified foods such as wheat flour with folic acid, vitamin B-12 and iron, WHO said.

“Across the region, pregnant women continue to be counselled to avoid potentially harmful medications, X-rays, tobacco products, alcohol and drugs,” the report mentioned. “In most countries, basic services for birth defect care and management are available, however access to advanced treatments, rehabilitation and support for affected babies and families remains inadequate, as is access to genetic and metabolic screening.”

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