Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Birth defects in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 33 babies born in the United States has a birth defect. Birth defects can be mild or severe and can affect almost any part of the body impacting physical and mental development, appearance, and organ function. Some things increase the risk of birth defects, such as having certain medical conditions, a family history of birth defects, drinking alcohol, smoking, and using certain drugs during pregnancy. However, the cause of most birth defects remains unknown, with a mix of genes, environment, and behavior all likely playing a role. Some of the most common birth defects in the United States include clubfoot, Down syndrome, pulmonary valve atresia and stenosis, and cleft lip/cleft palate. Although some birth defects are harmless, others require special long-term care, and can even result in premature death. According to the CDC, birth defects account for one in five deaths among infants, making them the leading cause of infant death in the United States. However, the death rate due to congenital birth defects among children under five has decreased significantly over the last few decades.
