民生一件事｜从“被动治疗”到“主动预防” 各地积极探索破解出生缺陷防治难

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the ongoing challenges and advancements in the prevention of birth defects in China, emphasizing the need for improved services and resources to address the rising risks associated with maternal age and chronic diseases [1][4][6]. Group 1: Birth Defects Overview - Birth defects are defined as structural or functional abnormalities occurring before birth, with over 8,000 known types in China, significantly contributing to infant mortality and disabilities [1]. - China has established a three-tier prevention system for birth defects, transitioning from "passive treatment" to "active prevention," although issues of resource imbalance and service quality remain prominent [1]. Group 2: Government Initiatives - The National Health Commission plans to enhance comprehensive reproductive services focusing on women's and children's health issues, aiming for a seamless service from conception to child-rearing [3]. - Inner Mongolia has implemented the first local regulation specifically targeting birth defect prevention, covering medical service standards, public health education, and family support for affected children [4]. Group 3: Statistical Improvements - There has been a significant reduction in infant mortality rates due to birth defects, with a 45.35% decrease in 2024 compared to 2019, and a 43.97% decrease in mortality for children under five [6]. Group 4: Local Innovations - Hunan Province has introduced a health project information system that provides free screenings for high-cost prenatal genetic tests and newborn metabolic disease screenings, benefiting over 500,000 pregnant women and newborns [7][9]. - Shandong Province has developed a multidisciplinary diagnostic platform for early detection and intervention of birth defects, exemplified by a case where timely intervention corrected a fetal heart condition [10][12].