New York State Department of Health Recognizes National Birth Defects Month

Every Four and a Half Minutes, a Baby is Born with a Birth Defect in U.S.

Department Provides Data to Help Understand, Treat and Reduce Risk of Birth Defects

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 6, 2025) - The New York State Department of Health recognizes National Birth Defects Awareness Month, observed in January, by raising awareness about birth defects, their risk factors and resources for families affected by them.

"It's important for families affected by birth defects to know that they are not alone," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Birth defects are common, and they can occur in any family, regardless of race, ethnicity, health history, or economic status. Raising awareness about available resources can help improve health and quality of life."

Every four and a half minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States, or one out of every 33 babies.

Birth defects are structural changes that can affect almost any part of the body and can cause lifelong health challenges. As medical care and treatment have improved, babies and children with birth defects are living longer and healthier lives. Most are now living into adulthood.

A CDC study reported that rates of infant deaths due to birth defects declined by 10 percent between 2003 and 2017 in the U.S., but birth defects remain the leading cause of death in the first year of life.

The Department provides data to help understand, treat and reduce the risk of birth defects and provides children with services and quality of care.

The New York State Birth Defects Registry monitors the prevalence of all major birth defects among New Yorkers. It maintains high-quality information on how many New Yorkers are born with birth defects to inform policies, resource allocation, and public health interventions.

Most causes of birth defects are unknown, but New York State Department of Health researchers are working to identify ways people can reduce the risk of having a baby with a birth defect.

The New York State Department of Health is committed to ensuring that families and children living with birth defects have access to the resources they need to live happy and healthy lives.

More information on how to prevent birth defects can be found here.

More information on resources for families affected by birth defects can be found here.