Deformed newborns surge over 130% over 7 years

The number of South Korean babies born with deformities has sharply increased over the past seven years due largely to the increased maternal age, government data showed Sunday. According to data released by the National Health Insurance Service, the number of newborns with records of hospital treatment for congenital deformity shot up 136.5 percent from 13,786 in 2005 to 32,601 in 2011. As of 2011, 730 babies per 10,000 were born with congenital malformations, the government agency said, noting 6.75 million won (US$6,000) was spent on each patient. Defects in digestive organs accounted for 30.8 percent of the total, with deformities in the circulatory system accounting for 23.5 percent, it said, adding the advanced maternal age is believed to be the top cause for those defects. Between 2005 and 2011, the number of pregnant women in their 20s decreased 22.4 percent whereas mothers in their 30s and 40s surged 36.3 percent and 104.2 percent, respectively, the agency said. "As the age of expectant mothers increases, the risk of diabetes as well as the frequency of their babies born with defects will grow," said Kim Eui-hyuk, a doctor at Ilsan Hospital.