Announcement: National Birth Defects Prevention Month and Folic Acid Awareness Week - January 2017.

The Zika virus disease outbreak has led to renewed focus on how some birth defects are caused by infection during pregnancy. "Prevent Infections for Baby's Protection" is the theme of January 2017's National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Birth defects are common, costly, and critical, and they affect one in 33 U.S. babies annually (1). Not all birth defects can be prevented, but women can increase their chances of having a healthy baby by reducing their risk for getting an infection during pregnancy.