National Birth Defects Awareness Month

CDC recognizes January as National Birth Defects Awareness Month. This is a time to raise awareness about birth defects and highlight efforts to improve the health of people living with these conditions across their lifespan. Join the nationwide effort to raise awareness of birth defects and their impact on individuals, parents, and families.

Awareness of Birth Defects Across the Lifespan

Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part of the body. Advancements in medicine and surgery have led to better survival, and thankfully more children born with birth defects grow up to lead full lives. Awareness of birth defects across the lifespan helps provide individuals, parents, and families affected by birth defects the information they need to seek proper care. It also gives healthcare professionals the evidence they need to deliver the best care for patients across all stages of life: before and during pregnancy, and in infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

This toolkit describes some of what scientists have learned about

• birth defects prevention before and during pregnancy
• survival and health of infants with birth defects
• educational needs and special healthcare needs for children with birth defects
• transition from pediatric to adult medical care for adolescents
• planning for pregnancy, recurrence prevention, and genetics and family history for adults with birth defects

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