Six Lakh Babies Born With Birth Defects Annually, But No National Registry to Track Cases

An estimated six lakh babies are born with congenital anomalies in India every year, according to public health experts. Despite the significant burden, India does not yet have a comprehensive national registry to systematically track and monitor such cases across states.

Growing Public Health Concern

Congenital anomalies — also referred to as birth defects — include structural or functional abnormalities that occur during intrauterine life. These range from heart defects and neural tube disorders to genetic and metabolic conditions. Experts say early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve survival and quality of life.

Lack of Centralised Data

Currently, data collection is fragmented, with some states maintaining hospital-based registries while others rely on limited reporting under health programmes. The absence of a unified national database makes it difficult to assess prevalence trends, identify high-risk regions, or allocate resources effectively.

Impact on Policy and Planning

Public health specialists argue that without accurate data, designing preventive strategies — including maternal nutrition programmes, folic acid supplementation, genetic counselling and screening initiatives — becomes challenging. A registry could also help track environmental or socio-economic risk factors.

Call for National Registry

Medical associations and child health advocates have urged the government to establish a nationwide congenital anomalies registry. They say such a system would improve surveillance, guide funding decisions and strengthen early intervention services.

With birth defects contributing significantly to infant mortality and long-term disability, experts emphasise that comprehensive data collection is critical for improving maternal and child health outcomes in the country.