Lucknow: Proper nutrition, pre-pregnancy vaccination, pre and post pregnancy tests can restrict the congenital birth anomalies in the infants. This was emphasised during an awareness program in the paediatrics department of King George’s Medical University (KGMU) on Wednesday.
Approximately 100 doctors, staff, and members of the general public attended the workshop focused on the theme “Breaking Barriers: Inclusive Support for Children with Birth Defects.” The significance of pre-pregnancy Rubella vaccine was extensively discussed during the event. “Children suffering from congenital diseases can be registered into the District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK). Babies born with defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate, clubfoot, neural tube defects (NTD), hearing impairment, and others can avail free treatment under government schemes through DEIC,” said Prof Mala Kumar, HoD, paediatrics department, KGMU.
The awareness session highlighted the isolation families often feel when dealing with birth defects. Specifically, for neural tube defects (NTDs), Folic Acid supplementation plays a crucial role. Meanwhile, Professor Shalini Tripathi, department of pediatrics, KGMU, said, “Early identification of birth defects such as clubfoot, hearing impairments, retinal defects, and cleft lips can significantly impact a child’s future. Proper vaccination, especially Rubella Vaccination before pregnancy, and monitoring, including Folic acid intake during pregnancy, can prevent several major birth defects.
Professor JD Rawat, pediatric department of surgery at KGMU, assured parents that congenital birth defects can be treated through surgical processes if the patient receives timely specialised treatment.

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