The following resources are intended to support physicians and non-physician clinicians in providing optimal care for individuals with birth defects, and where needed, help improve the continuity of care between primary care and specialty physicians, to provide the care needed to stay healthy across the lifespan.
Birth defects, defined as health conditions present at birth that can affect how a baby’s body looks, works, or both, impact 1 in 33 US infants annually. Birth defects can be caused by genetic factors, prenatal events, or a combination of both, with the ability to reduce the risk of some birth defects. Although not all defects can be prevented, infant mortality and severe outcomes due to birth defects have declined over the years, and there are treatment and care options for many of these conditions present at birth. Due to emerging therapies, more children with birth defects are also living into adulthood, and to further support optimal health into adulthood, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that health care clinicians include a patient's transition from pediatric to adult care as part of routine care.
Resources
Last Updated
12/10/2024
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics