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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

Officers/Board Members
Our Members
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Bylaws
Birth Defects Information by I.B.I.S.
Information Sources
Ukrainian Alliance Activities
Folic Acid
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Mythology - Etymology and Beyond: Ideas in Words


  • 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


Ukrainian-American BD Program Poster
  • 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


A partnership program sponsored by the USAID to establish birth defects surveillance, amelioration and prevention in two Ukrainian oblasts.     IBIS: International Birth Defects Information Systems - Home Page     Medical Etymology     Genetics Birth Defects Center    

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.

Copyright 1998 - 2003 I.B.I.S. All rights reserved.
Sponsor: I.B.I.S. | Site Concept: W.W., S.L. | Page Content: W.Wertelecki
Email: Webmaster
      
28/October/2003 RC