She revealed this during a media briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau to mark National Birth Defects Awareness Week, which runs from March 2 to 6.
Dr. Gunawardena explained that birth defects occur due to genetic or environmental factors that affect the structural development or functioning of organs in the fetus during pregnancy. These conditions not only affect families but also place a burden on society and the country’s economy.
Although not all babies born with birth defects suffer from severe conditions, serious defects affecting the heart or brain can lead to death.
Sri Lanka’s under-five mortality and stillbirth rates are comparable to those of developed countries, and the country maintains one of the lowest rates in Asia, she said.
However, birth defects remain a major cause of infant deaths.
Between 2017 and 2019, 39.1% of infant deaths under one year were caused by birth defects, while from 2020 to 2024 the figure rose slightly to 40.1%.
Dr. Gunawardena noted that many birth defects can be prevented through proper maternal care during pregnancy, including maintaining good nutrition, preventing infections, and receiving vaccinations such as rubella on time.
She also highlighted that lack of preparation before pregnancy, failure to take folic acid properly, obesity, and uncontrolled chronic diseases such as diabetes are key contributing factors.
