A birth defect — also called a congenital anomaly — is a problem that occurs when a baby is developing in the womb. An estimated one out of every 33 babies in the U.S. is born with a birth defect, of varying severity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you’re a mom-to-be — or planning to be — it’s important to understand what causes birth defects and the steps you can take to prevent them during pregnancy. Here’s an overview of the most common causes of birth defects:
About 8 percent of the population in Worcester County has diabetes according to state data. Taking charge of the disease is important in preventing or delaying the onset of complications. One way to do this is to monitor your blood sugar.