$8 billion is the estimated lifetime cost for US
children born in a single year with 17 common birth defects
and/or cerebral palsy. (About 22% of those with birth
defects will have one of these conditions.)
Researchers tracked expenses for people with these
birth defects, including the extra costs for related
problems (multiple defects, low birth weight, developmental
disability). It included:
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Direct costs for medical treatment,
developmental services and special education. |
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Indirect costs to society for lost
wages due to early death or occupational limitations. |
The estimates are conservative and don't include lost
wages for family caretakers or psychosocial costs.
Documenting the magnitude of birth defects costs underscores
the need to find causes and develop prevention strategies.
Currently, the federal budget for birth defects research
is only a fraction of what's spent every year on treatment.
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