Abstracto

Birth malformations in India: The untold story and the need for immediate action.

Gurdeep Sagoo

In developing nations where infant mortality has been much decreased, birth abnormalities (structural, functional, and metabolic disorders apparent from birth, but may not be recognised until later) are now a significant contributor to infant death. By using a variety of affordable community genetic services, birth abnormalities can be avoided in 70% of cases. Indians have a high rate of consanguineous marriages, high fertility, many unwanted births, low antenatal care coverage, poor maternal nutritional status, and ahigh carrier rate for hemoglobinopathies, among other risk factors for birth abnormalities