Saving Babies

Women and their doctors use our findings on risk factors and prevention to give the 4 million babies born every year in the United States a healthier start.

Health care providers in 75 health centers use proven tools to help pregnant women reduce alcohol use, preventing FASD and a lifetime cost of $2 million for a child with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Thirteen jurisdictions are expanding surveillance systems to address the effects of emerging threats to mothers and babies – specifically hepatitis C, syphilis, and Zika virus.

Our experts in infant health identified Zika as a cause of birth defects and neurodevelopmental problems and continue monitoring more than 7,400 pregnancies across the country.

Every year more than 1,300 babies are born without a neural tube defect because our science resulted in national folic acid fortification – saving the United States up to $600 million yearly.

Up to 8 states will be actively monitoring for NAS, linking families affected by the opioid crisis to needed care and informing guidelines on the best treatments for mother and baby.

Scientists are learning more about potential causes of stillbirth, informing research for prevention, and helping families understand potential causes.