World Birth Defects Day: Over 1.7 billion babies born with birth defects in India every year

Hyderabad: World Birth Defects Day is observed on March 3. The main aim of this day is to create awareness about the types of birth defects, their impacts on the child and their families, and the ways to overcome the challenges.

Around 7-8% of child deaths are attributed to children born with birth defects. More than 1.7 billion babies are born with birth defects in India every year, which is considered a high burden.

Most birth defects originate during prenatal development, and the severity ranges from mild to life-threatening. The causes for birth defects vary, but the combination of genetic and environmental factors are considered primary reasons, along with maternal health conditions, infections, poor nutrition, or exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy being the other reasons.

Birth defects and common defects

Dr Shailesh Pande, Medical Geneticist, Scientist E & Head, Genetic Research Center, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai said, “Birth defects are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth or may manifest later, originating during prenatal development”.

The most common birth defects include neural tube defects (NTDs), congenital heart diseases (CHDs), cleft palate & lip, abnormalities of the kidney, central nervous system (CNS), skeletal system, and other systemic abnormalities.

Causes for birth defects

Genetic causes, environmental factors, maternal health conditions, lifestyle, and infections are some of the common causes of birth defects in babies.

“Genetic causes may include chromosomal abnormalities, microdeletions or microduplications, and single or multiple gene mutations. Additionally, lifestyle and environmental factors, including advanced maternal age and consanguineous marriages, have been linked to an increased likelihood of birth defects”, Dr Shailesh Pande said. In most cases, the exact cause remains unknown, and ongoing research continues to shed light on the underlying mechanisms.

Healthy pregnancy and reduced risks

A healthy pregnancy is essential to reduce the risks of birth defects, which includes planning the pregnancy, discussing personal and family medical history with a doctor, and managing existing health conditions.

Dr Shailesh Pande strongly recommends a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, which plays a crucial role in fetal development, with folic acid supplementation

“Also, expecting mothers should also focus on preventing infections, avoiding harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and unprescribed medications, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle”, he insisted.

Early detection remains crucial

Detecting birth defects before or immediately after birth is crucial because it allows healthcare providers to prepare appropriate medical interventions. Many birth defects can be identified during pregnancy through routine ultrasound scans

At birth, a thorough physical examination, along with hearing and eye assessments and imaging tests, can help detect internal abnormalities.

“Since 20-30% of birth defects have a genetic basis, genetic testing—either during pregnancy or after birth—can provide insights into the underlying cause of the condition, its progression, and likelihood of recurrence. These measures enable early intervention, better management, and long-term medical planning, ensuring improved outcomes and quality of life for both the baby and the family”, Dr Shailesh Pande added.

Though birth defects come with strong challenges, raising awareness, improving healthcare accessibility, and strengthening research to ensure better prevention and management strategies can help in overcoming them.