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January is Birth Defects Prevention Month.
Did you know?
- Over 10,000 infants in New York State, 3-5% of all live births, are born each year with a major congenital malformation.
- Annually over 120,000 infants are born nationwide with a major congenital malformation.
- Birth defects are the leading cause of death in children less than 1 year of age.
Consuming sufficient folic acid before and during pregnancy is the single most important thing a woman can do to prevent birth defects.
Although many malformations can be caused by genetic disorders others can result from environmental exposures. Here are some
ways that women can avoid getting infections that may result in birth defects:
- Cook meat until well done
- Avoid unpasteurized foods
- Do not touch or change dirty cat litter
- Stay away from rodents (wild or pet) and their droppings
- Avoid people with infections such as chickenpox or rubella
- Try not to share eating utensils with young children
- Get tested for STD's and HIV/AIDS
- Talk to your doctor about group B strep
- Wash your hands after:
- Handling uncooked food
- Gardening
- Playing with pets
- Being around someone who is sick
- Getting saliva (spit) on your hands
- Caring for or playing with children
- Changing diapers
For further information about the prevention of birth defects, go to www.nbdpn.org, or www.marchofdimes.com. |
