Birth Defects Prevention

These conditions can arise from genetic factors, environmental exposures, or a combination of both. The prevention of birth defects is a crucial aspect of public health, requiring a multidimensional approach that encompasses preconception care, genetic counseling, and awareness of environmental risk factors.

Preconception Care Preconception care plays a pivotal role in birth defects prevention, as it focuses on optimising a woman's health before conception. Adequate nutrition, including sufficient intake of folic acid, is essential during the preconception period. Folic acid is known to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, which affect the brain and spinal cord. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, either through diet or supplements.