The March of Dimes Global Report on Birth Defects, The Hidden Toll of Dying and Disabled Children.

Every year an estimated 8 million children—6 percent of total births worldwide—are born with a serious birth defect of genetic or partially genetic origin. Additionally, hundreds of thousands more are born with serious birth defects of post-conception origin due to maternal exposure to environmental agents. At least 3.3 million children less than 5 years of age die annually because of serious birth defects and the majority of those who survive may be mentally and physically disabled for life.

This new report from the March of Dimes is the first to provide a global estimate of serious birth defects of genetic or partly genetic origin. It details the birth prevalence rates and the numbers of affected births in 193 countries.

The report recommends steps that can be taken to prevent birth defects and improve the care of those affected in developing countries. Experience from high-income countries shows that overall mortality and disability from birth defects could be reduced by up to 70 percent if the recommendations in this report are broadly implemented

If you want to order a print copy of the full report, it is available for $4 and the executive summary for $1, plus shipping and handling from the March of Dimes Fulfillment Center (maximum 5 copies per order). 
All U.S. orders under $50 must be prepaid. (Shipping & Handling please add $5.95).
All orders outside the U.S. must be prepaid in U.S. dollars.  Please call or e-mail for shipping and handling charges.

Phone: 1-800-367-6630
Fax: 1-770-280-4116
Outside the US Phone: 1-770-280-4115
Email: mod@pbd.com - (for PO's and pricing information only).
Mail: March of Dimes
PO Box 932852
Atlanta, GA 31193-2852

You will need to give the item numbers below

Item numbers:

Report:  31-2008-05

Executive Summary: 31-2009-05

Download an electronic copy:

• Executive Summary (.pdf, 381k)
• Report (.pdf, 5.6m)
• Wall Chart (.pdf, 1.8m)
• Appendix (.pdf, 504k)