This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7863290.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sharp rise in China birth defects China birth defects 'up sharply'
(about 12 hours later)
A senior family planning official in China has noted an alarming rise in the number of babies with birth defects, a Chinese media report says.A senior family planning official in China has noted an alarming rise in the number of babies with birth defects, a Chinese media report says.
Jiang Fan, from China's National Population and Family Planning Commission, said environmental pollution was the cause of the problem. Jiang Fan, from China's National Population and Family Planning Commission, said environmental pollution was a cause of the increase.
He said a child was born with physical defects every 30 seconds because of the degrading environment. The coal-mining heartland of Shanxi province had the biggest problem.
The report said China's coal-rich Shanxi province had the highest rate. China has reported the trend before, and it was not clear if Mr Jiang was commenting on new or old statistics.
The commission blamed emissions from the region's large chemical industry for the problems there. A 2007 commission report said the rate of defects had risen 40% since 2001, from 104.9 per 10,000 births to 145.5 in 2006.
Officials blame emissions from Shanxi's large coal and chemical industry for the problems there.
"The problem of birth defects is related to environmental pollution, especially in eight main coal zones," said An Huanxiao, the director of Shanxi provincial family planning agency.
'Prevention plan''Prevention plan'
Mr Jiang said a child was born with physical defects every 30 seconds because of the degrading environment.
Correspondents say the report suggests there is a human cost to China's rapid economic development.Correspondents say the report suggests there is a human cost to China's rapid economic development.
Researchers also blamed exposure to nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulates for the increase.Researchers also blamed exposure to nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulates for the increase.
"The number of newborns with birth defects is constantly increasing in both urban and rural areas," China Daily newspaper quoted Ms Jiang as saying. "The number of newborns with birth defects is constantly increasing in both urban and rural areas," China Daily newspaper quoted Mr Jiang as saying.
"The rather alarming increase has forced us to kick off a high-level prevention plan.""The rather alarming increase has forced us to kick off a high-level prevention plan."
The commission had introduced a screening programme in the eight worst-affected provinces, Ms Jiang explained. The commission had introduced a screening programme in the eight worst-affected provinces, Mr Jiang said.