Birth defects are responsible for the deaths of approximately 300 children under five each day in the South-East Asia region, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). World Birth Defects Day, observed on March 3, aims to raise awareness about prevention programs and enhance the quality of care for individuals with congenital anomalies.
“During the past two decades, the contribution of birth defects to the cause of death among under-5 children has increased from 3.9 per cent to 11.5 per cent in our region,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, in a statement.
“Birth defects are now the third most common cause of death (11 per cent) among under-5 children in our region — approximately 300 every day. Additionally, they cause severe morbidity which usually is ignored or not highlighted,” she added.
While genetics play a significant role in birth defects, many can be prevented through health interventions. Key preventive measures include rubella vaccination, managing sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy, and addressing environmental factors such as pollution, lifestyle choices, and socioeconomic conditions affecting expectant mothers.
Wazed emphasised the importance of investing in women, girls, adolescents, and vulnerable populations, while also calling for enhanced health system capacity for early detection and management of birth defects. This includes implementing newborn screening tests and strengthening birth defect surveillance systems to improve data availability and inform programmatic decisions.
