Birth defects refer to morphological and structural abnormalities that are present at birth. Including various structural, intellectual, or metabolic abnormalities, severe birth defects can lead to death of newborns and children, or lifelong disability. Extensive social publicity and health education, popularizing eugenic health knowledge and skills, and improving public health literacy are important components of the third-level prevention of birth defects. They are also one of the most fundamental, economical, and effective measures to prevent birth defects and improve the quality of the birth population. .
1. Prohibition of consanguineous marriage to reduce the risk of genetic diseases
Consanguineous marriage refers to the marriage of direct and collateral blood relatives within three generations. Direct blood relatives include parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and maternal grandparents and maternal grandchildren. Collateral blood relatives within three generations include uncles and nieces, uncles and nieces, cousins, and cousins. The closer the blood relationship, the higher the risk of genetic disease.
2. Men and women who are planning to get married should take the initiative to receive pre-marital health care services such as pre-marital medical examinations
Pre-marital medical examinations are different from conventional health examinations. Both men and women should take the initiative to go to a medical institution to receive pre-marital health care services such as pre-marital medical examination, health guidance and health consultation before registering for marriage, focusing on consultation and examination for serious hereditary diseases, designated infectious diseases, related mental illness and other diseases that affect marriage and childbearing. and guidance.
3. Couples planning pregnancy should receive pre-pregnancy health check-ups
Through pre-pregnancy health check-ups, risk factors that may affect pregnancy can be discovered early, and intervention measures can be taken in a timely manner to reduce the occurrence of birth defects. risk. You can go to local medical institutions to inquire about free pre-pregnancy health check-up policies.
4. Couples with a family history of genetic diseases or adverse pregnancy and childbirth histories should go to medical institutions to receive targeted counseling and guidance
Couples who are planning to conceive in one of the following situations should go to a medical institution The institution receives targeted counseling and guidance: family members have genetic diseases, have given birth to children with birth defects, and have adverse maternal and childbirth histories such as repeated miscarriages or stillbirths.
5. Supplement small doses of folic acid to prevent fetal neural tube defects
Women preparing for pregnancy should take 0.4 mg of folic acid every day starting 3 months before pregnancy and continuing until 3 months after pregnancy. , to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
6. Use medications with caution during pregnancy, and use them rationally under the guidance of a doctor if necessary.
Sickness during pregnancy may have adverse effects on the health of the mother and fetus. Pregnant women who are sick should seek medical treatment promptly and use medication rationally under the guidance of a doctor. They should neither take medication without permission nor refuse to take necessary medication due to excessive concerns about the effects of the medication on the fetus.
7. Establish files and cards in a timely manner, and receive regular prenatal check-ups
Pregnant women should go to a medical institution to establish a maternity and childbirth health care file (book, card) before 13 weeks of pregnancy, and receive regular prenatal check-ups. Conduct prenatal check-ups to keep abreast of the health status of pregnant women and fetuses. Receive at least 5 prenatal checkups throughout pregnancy. If there are any abnormalities, the number of prenatal checkups should be increased appropriately under the guidance of a doctor.
8. Prenatal screening for Down syndrome should be performed during pregnancy
Children with Down syndrome have severe and irreversible intellectual disabilities and cannot take care of themselves. Pregnant women should make informed choices at medical institutions for prenatal screening for Down syndrome between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnant women over 35 years old should go to a qualified medical institution for prenatal diagnosis.
9. Newborns should be screened for related diseases in a timely manner after birth
Newborns should be screened for phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, glucose-6- Screening for diseases such as phosphorus dehydrogenase deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and hearing impairment promotes early detection, diagnosis and treatment of congenital diseases and reduces children's disabilities.
10. Children with birth defects should go to medical institutions to receive treatment and rehabilitation training in a timely manner
Children with confirmed birth defects should go to medical institutions to receive treatment and rehabilitation training in a timely manner to improve their health conditions , improve the quality of life. You can consult local medical institutions for policies related to the prevention and treatment of birth defects that benefit the people.
Sun Yu, Premarital Health Care Department, Tengzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital