Environmental Public Health Tracking: Upper and Lower Limb Reduction Defects Data
A birth defect is a problem that happens while the baby is developing in the mother's body. Most birth defects happen during the first three months of pregnancy. A birth defect may affect how the body looks, works, or both.
Upper and lower limb reduction defects are one type of birth defect. Review the FAQs below for more information about upper and lower limb reduction defects.
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Upper and lower limb deficiencies occur when the arm or leg of a fetus fails to form completely during pregnancy. The limb is reduced from its normal size or is missing.
Researchers estimate that about 1 in 1,943 babies in the United States are born with a limb reduction defect, which is about 2,026 cases per year.* Some babies will have both upper and lower limb reduction defects. You can read more about upper and lower limb reduction defects on the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website.
*Mai CT, Isenburg JL, Canfield MA, Meyer RE, Correa A, Alverson CJ, Lupo PJ, Riehle‐Colarusso T, Cho SJ, Aggarwal D, Kirby RS. "National population‐based estimates for major birth defects, 2010–2014." Birth Defects Research. 2019; 111(18): 1420-1435.
Specific treatment for limb deficiencies will be determined by the child's doctor, based on things like the child’s age, the extent and type of defect, and the child’s tolerance for certain medications, procedures, and therapies. Learn more about treatment on the CDC's Facts about Upper and Lower Limb Reduction Defects page.
The cause of limb deficiencies is unknown. CDC works with many researchers to study risk factors that can increase the chance of having a baby with limb deficiencies, as well as outcomes of babies with the defect. Learn more about causes on the CDC's Facts about Upper and Lower Limb Reduction Defects page.
There is no known way to prevent this type of defect, but some of the problems experienced later in life can be prevented or screened if the defect is treated early. Mothers can take steps before and during pregnancy to have a healthy pregnancy. Steps include taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid (400 micrograms), not smoking, and not drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Learn more about prevention on the CDC's Facts about Upper and Lower Limb Reduction Defects page.