Learn More about Birth Defects
About one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Not all birth defects can be prevented. But a woman can take steps to increase her own chance of having a baby with the best health possible.
![Real Stories Birth Defects: Family Stories](/congress116th/20210123060543im_/https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/images/pb-family-stories-birthdefects.jpg)
Every 4.5 minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect. Major birth defects are conditions present at birth that cause structural changes in one or more parts of the body.
![Increase Awareness Birth Defects Buttons Collage](/congress116th/20210123060543im_/https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/images/pb-buttons-collage.jpg)
CDC has created buttons to help increase awareness of birth defects. You can help by posting a button to your website, blog, or social networking site (e.g., Facebook page).
News About Birth Defects
- Pregnancy Outcomes After Maternal Zika Virus Infection During Pregnancy — U.S. Territories
- Vital Signs: Zika Virus – Protecting Pregnant Women and Babies
- Baseline Prevalence of Birth Defects Associated with Zika
- Taking Ondansetron During Pregnancy Does Not Appear to Increase Risk For Birth Defects
- A Growing Number of Reproductive-Aged Women are Filling Prescriptions for ADHD Medicine
- Antibiotic Treatments for Urinary Tract Infections Are Commonly Prescribed To Pregnant Women
Additional Resources
Page last reviewed: January 11, 2021