Primary prevention of congenital anomalies are public health strategies that prevent the development of congenital anomalies1. Many congenital anomalies (CA) are potentially preventable and liable to be reduced by an integrated strategy of primary prevention. In the European context there is a need for a more comprehensive, science-based and consistent approach, especially in those countries in which primary prevention actions are still in their infancy or are relying on sporadic initiatives. Types of primary prevention actions include:
Providing advice to future parents through preconception and early pregnancy through individual consultations and health education campaigns.
Regulatory actions on risk factors including medications, chemicals, infectious agents, food, tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs.
Surveillance, research and evaluation of emerging risk factors.
EUROCAT together with EUROPLAN developed the first comprehensive set of recommendations on policies to be considered for the primary prevention of CA in the European Union2-3. These recommendations cover key policy actions on medications, health services, nutrition and lifestyle, and environmental pollution. These recommendations have to be considered a 'first step'.
The next steps are to monitor their implementation in national plans or strategies for rare diseases, to evaluate the impact of the policy actions through continuing surveillance of CA by EUROCAT, and to regularly update the scientific evidence underpinning the recommendations.
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