Ukrainian Alliance for the Prevention of Birth Defects

Ukrainian Alliance for the Prevention of Birth Defects

Member of the World Alliance for the Prevention of Birth Defects Partner of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Credit: Logo Mural

We strive for a world where all children hear, see, walk, talk, think and grow to their full potential.

We know every child with serious birth defects represents an undeserved tragedy which can happen to anybody.

We hold the view that children have the human right to be born free from preventable birth defects.

We Know and Believe

Birth defects are frequent (3%).
No family is immune from birth defects.
More knowledge is needed to prevent birth defects.
Superstition and fatalism can be replaced by the realization that birth defects are preventable.
Translation of scientific advances into prevention programs must be hastened.
Birth defects are greatly ameliorated through early recognition and intensive, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary early health care interventions.
Decision makers need to become more aware regarding the impact of birth defects on children, their families and society.

Our Story

The idea of the Ukrainian Alliance for the Prevention of Birth Defects arose soon after Ukraine became independent.

In 1996, Dr. Wladimir Wertelecki, Secretary/Treasurer of the World Alliance for the Prevention of Birth Defects proposed a similar organization in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Alliance has joined other nations belonging to the World Alliance.

The model for the Ukrainian Alliance for the Prevention of Birth Defects is the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. The President of the March of Dimes, Dr. Jennifer Howse, along with other international experts visited Kyiv and met with Ukrainian counterparts.

The Ukrainian Alliance for the Prevention of Birth Defects is now growing. The members include leading Ukrainian Medical Geneticists and experts in Obstetrics, Neonatology, Pediatrics and other health care disciplines. Birth Defects Surveillance Programs are emerging in the Rivne and Volyn Regions as parts of the Ukrainian-American Birth Defects Program. It is a partnership program sponsored by the USAID to establish birth defects surveillance, amelioration and prevention in those Ukrainian regions.

Birth Defects
Some Facts

Broadly defined, birth defects are functional or structural anomalies resulting from environmental or genetic alterations acting upon a fetus. Birth defects can manifest at any age.

Birth defects are a leading cause of infant mortality, developmental disabilities and mental subnormality.

The causes of birth defects include anomalies of genes or chromosomes and may be the result of environmental insults such as radiation, nutritional deficiencies, infections and other factors

Did you Know?

Micronutrients are effective birth defects prevention agents.

Folic Acid prevents spina bifida and other malformations.

Iodine prevents mental subnormality.

Special infant formulas prevent mental retardation (associated with PKU and other metabolic defects).

The above birth defects prevention agents are often lacking in Ukraine.

President:
Ihor Barylyak, M.D.
2 Skovoroda St., Bldg 3, Room 209
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine, 04070
Ph./fax: 38-044-230-2765
Ph.: 38-044-238-2443
E-mail: baryliak@ukma.kiev.ua

Vice-President:
Olena Sulima, M.D.
2 Skovoroda St., Bldg 3, Room 209
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine, 04070
Ph./fax: 38-044-230-2765
Ph.: 38-044-238-2443
E-mail: alliance@kyiv.utel.net.ua

Ukrainian Coordinator:
Iryna Kharytonova, M.D.
2 Skovoroda St., Bldg 3, Room 209
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine, 04070
Ph./fax: 38-044-230-2765
Ph.: 38-044-238-2443
E-mail: alliance@kyiv.utel.net.ua

International Coordinator: W. Wertelecki, M.D.
307 University Blvd. Room 214, CC/CB. University of South Alabama
Department of Medical Genetics. Mobile, Al 36688-0002 USA
Ph.: 1-800-624-1865 Fax: 251-461-1591 E-mail: wwwmd@ibis-birthdefects.org

Director of Development: Dianna Derhak, JD
2 Skovoroda St., Bldg 3, Room 209
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine, 04070
Ph./fax: 38-044-230-2765 E-mail: derhak@kyiv.utel.net.ua

IBIS: International Birth Defects Information Systems - Home Page

This site offers information mostly for educational purposes. This site is not intended to alter health care protocols nor to serve as a sole source of medical information. Please read full disclaimer. Always seek the advice of your local health care provider.