7.9 million or more babies are born each year with a birth defect

Environmental Factors in Birth Defects: What We Need to Know

Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 117, Number 10, October 2009

Bob Weinhold

Abstract

Worldwide an estimated 7.9 million or more babies are born each year with a birth defect. The causes of birth defects remain largely a mystery, although a few culprits, including some environmental agents, have been identified as contributing factors. Reliable numbers for both types of defects and cases remain unclear, due in large part to a lack of funding, coordinated efforts, and adequate data, and experts believe significant shifts in research priorities need to occur before progress can be made. However, several large studies now or about to get under way could yield data to help identify links between certain birth defects and environmental agents.

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