Did you know that every four and a half minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in United States?
Birth defects range from minor to life-threatening and can even be fatal in some cases. They are the leading cause of infant mortality in Kentucky and can lead to long-term disabilities and significant costs over a lifetime.
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and local authorities are teaming up with the National Birth Defects Prevention Network and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to raise awareness. Many birth defects are avoidable if women make the PACT.
PACT is an acronym:
- Plan ahead
- Avoid harmful substances
- Choose a healthy lifestyle
- Talk to a healthcare provider
Through PACT, women are encouraged to take folic acid daily, avoid alcohol, smoking, and harmful chemicals, eat healthy, and talk to their doctors about prescriptions and concerns.
By taking these four steps before pregnancy, “women can increase their chances of having a healthy baby,” according to Dr. Ruth Shepherd, director of the Division of Maternal and Child Health in DPH.
For more information, contact Kentucky’s Birth Surveillance Registry Program at 502-564-4839.
