Chijioke Iremeka Maternal health experts have stated that infection control during pregnancy reduces the risks of babies being born with birth defects whether structural or functional anomalies. The gynaecologists said congenital disorders also known as congenital anomalies could be prevented through vaccination, lifestyle modifications, and infection control during pregnancy. Congenital disorders such as hearing defects, and holes in the heart, they noted are structural anomalies present at birth that could cause physical disability, intellectual and developmental disability, and other health problems.
The physicians said that congenital disorders linked to environmental factors such as maternal exposure to certain medications, chemicals, and alcohol, could be prevented, but genetic triggers, such as mutations, can’t be prevented. Though not all these disorders can be treated, the experts underscored the importance of parents understanding these triggers to help protect their unborn babies. According to the World Health Organisation report of February 27, 2023, an estimated 240,000 newborns die worldwide within 28 days of birth each year due to congenital disorders, which also lead to an additional 170,000 deaths among children aged one month to five years.
The global health body highlighted that congenital disorders can contribute to long-term disabilities, imposing a significant burden on individuals, families, healthcare systems, and societies, alarmingly that nine out .