July 11 marked the 35th World Population Day, an annual event established by the United Nations in 1990 to raise awareness about global population issues. This year, China showcased significant progress in safeguarding the health of newborns, leading to a substantial decrease in infant and child mortality attributed to birth defects.
Recognizing the varied types and complex causes of birth defects, China has emphasized early prevention and treatment to mitigate risks from the outset. According to China’s National Health Commission (NHC), the coverage of medical screenings for birth defects has expanded remarkably. Pre-pregnancy checks and pregnancy screenings now reach 96.9 percent and 91.3 percent of the population, respectively.
Over the past five years, data from the NHC indicates that the infant mortality rate and the death rate for children under five caused by birth defects have both declined by over 30 percent. In 2023, the mortality rates for infants and children under five dropped to 4.5 per 1,000 and 6.2 per 1,000, respectively, signaling significant improvements in newborn health.
Efforts have also been intensified to ensure early detection and treatment for newborns with birth defects. Nationwide screening services for phenylketonuria, an inherited metabolic disease that can lead to growth retardation, are now available for all newborns. “If children with this disease consume special milk powder in time, it can effectively alleviate intellectual impairment, allowing most to reach a normal level of intelligence,” said Shen Haiping, an official from the NHC.
Furthermore, a central public fund initiative launched in 2014 has provided financial assistance over 81,000 times to children suffering from birth defects across the country. In August 2023, the NHC released a plan on enhancing birth defect prevention aiming to further reduce infant mortality and death rates among children under five caused by birth defects to below 1 per 1,000 and 1.1 per 1,000, respectively, by 2027.
Shen highlighted that future efforts will focus on expanding inclusive and accessible prevention services, while strengthening personnel training in this field to ensure healthy childbearing. These measures reflect China’s commitment to improving public health and safeguarding the well-being of future generations.
Reference(s):
World Population Day: China prevents birth defects to safeguard health
cgtn.com
