CDC Grand Rounds: Understanding the Causes of Major Birth Defects - Steps to Prevention

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015 Oct 9;64(39):1104-7. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6439a3.

Abstract

Major birth defects (birth defects) are defined as structural abnormalities, present at birth, with surgical, medical, or cosmetic importance. Each year in the United States, 3% of live births (approximately 120,000 infants) have an identifiable structural birth defect. Examples of birth defects include neural tube defects, such as spina bifida; orofacial clefts; abdominal wall defects, such as gastroschisis; and congenital heart defects, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Collectively, congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects (27%), followed by musculoskeletal defects (18%), genitourinary defects (15%), orofacial defects (5%), and neural tube defects (2%).

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.
  • Congenital Abnormalities / epidemiology
  • Congenital Abnormalities / etiology*
  • Congenital Abnormalities / prevention & control*
  • Cost of Illness
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Public Health
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology