National Birth Defects Prevention Month

• Each year, nearly 8,000 babies in Michigan are born with a birth defect.
• My name is Janet Olszewski and I am the Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health.
• Nationally, 150,000 babies are born with birth defects each year, making it the leading cause of infant mortality.
• January has been declared Michigan Birth Defects Prevention Month.
• There are easy steps that you can take as you are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant.
• Taking a daily multivitamin that contains 400 micrograms of folic acid helps ensure a great start.
• Make sure you get your proper immunizations.
• Also, do not drink alcohol or use tobacco while pregnant.
• For more information on birth defects and prevention visit our Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdch. Keep your baby healthy from the start!