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Dr. Kim Mulvihill ReportingA new report today from the March of Dimes takes a closer look at the rate of birth defects. It's the first time they have studied the problem around the world. Every pregnant woman has about a five-percent chance of having a baby with a serious birth defect. That risk can rise or fall depending on a host of circumstances.
About one in every 700 babies is born with a cleft lip or palate. Lori Gunther had no idea her son Ethan would be one of them.
Lori Gunther, Mother: "The doctor said 'Something's wrong with his face, but everything's gonna be okay.' And I immediately thought, 'How can everything be okay when there's something wrong?'"
A new report by the march of dimes finds, around the world, almost eight million babies a year are born with birth defects. Roughly half die within five years. They call for education, family planning, newborn screening, and training for health care workers.
Chris Howson, March of Dimes: "There should be NO baby anywhere in the world who leaves a hospital or leaves the primary health clinic that has not been examined by a health professional knowledgeable in the diagnosis and identification of birth defects."
Ethan's mom thought she was well informed.
Lori Gunther: "I went through Lamaze, took birth classes, read every book out there. And when it came down to it, I felt I knew absolutely nothing."
Now, with Ethan's condition nearly corrected, Lori volunteers to help others deal with the ordeal her family survived.
Most birth defects occur in poor countries where babies often have problems that could be easily fixed, or even prevented in wealthier countries. Good diet, good prenatal care and Things like folic acid lower the risk of neural tube defects.
Experts say don't wait until you find out you're pregnant, be safe and take it in advance. Once a woman learns she's pregnant, some birth defects have already developed.
