title: Birth defects--the state of awareness amongst mothers.
abstract: Birth defects have in recent years become the major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The incidence of birth defects is between 2% to 6% of all live births. However, from a survey carried out in Singapore General Hospital (SGH), the majority of mothers enter pregnancy without realising the risks that they or their offspring may face. Only 20% to 25% of mothers were aware of the actual incidence of birth defects, and only 2.5%-10% knew that the risk of Down Syndrome (DS) increases with maternal age. However, the use of ultrasound is now well accepted and is considered a necessary investigation by 90% of the mothers surveyed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Singapore General Hospital.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Yeo
mesh_terms: D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal