[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 21883-21884]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         HEALTHIER BABIES MONTH

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, today I rise to applaud the support 
the March of Dimes provides for the Campaign for Healthier Babies 
Month. This month focuses attention on the March of Dimes Birth Defects 
Foundation and its many efforts to reduce the more than 150,000 birth 
defects which occur every year.
  Debilitating birth defects leave our kids unable to walk, hear, 
think, or fight off disease. However, with the support of organizations 
like March of Dimes, community health programs, and especially local 
advocacy groups, the number of children affected by some 5,000 
different types of birth defects continues to steadily decline. Since 
1960, infant deaths related to birth defects have been cut in half due 
to increased awareness and medical advances in both surgery and 
specialized care in neonatal intensive care units.
  The March of Dimes Foundation has played a major role in increasing 
the likelihood that children with birth defects will live to see their 
first birthday. Over the last decade, scientists have discovered that 
women who take a daily supplement of B vitamin folic acid in 
combination with a healthy diet--especially before pregnancy--greatly 
reduce the chances of their child being affected by birth defects.
  Another vital step in reducing the chances of birth defects is the 
accessibility of prenatal care. My own state of Minnesota has one of 
America's finest health care systems and, as a result, ranks in the top 
ten states with regard to low birth-weight and infant mortality. But 
there are many states that

[[Page 21884]]

are not as fortunate, and I firmly believe recognition of this campaign 
will help drive change which can have a profound impact on prenatal and 
perinatal care.
  In the 105th Congress, the March of Dimes was instrumental in the 
passage of the Birth Defects Prevention Act, which established the 
first nationwide network of birth defects monitoring programs. I am 
confident the law complements March of Dime's efforts in the areas of 
both alcohol avoidance in preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the 
folic acid vitamin supplement program in preventing neural tube 
defects, NTDs. NTDs are among the most serious and common birth defects 
in the United States affecting some 2,500 babies each year, and are a 
result of an underdeveloped brain and spinal cord. The most common NTD 
is spina bifida, a leading cause of childhood paralysis.
  Birth defects like these can affect any family. As we head into the 
new millennium, filled with endless possibilities, I am proud and 
honored to be able to pay tribute to those whose tireless efforts 
result in dramatic reductions in the number of birth defects in the 
United States every year.

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