( CNN ) -- The number of birth defects in China are on the rise and the rate has nearly doubled in the past decade in Beijing and several provinces , a state-run newspaper reported Tuesday . The increase is mainly due to improved diagnostic techniques and monitoring capability , as well as women waiting until they are older to have children , China Daily reported , citing the Beijing municipal health bureau . Environmental pollution could also be a factor , the newspaper said , quoting Caijing magazine . The rate of birth defects in Beijing last year was 170 per 10,000 births , nearly twice the rate in 1997 , when it was 90 birth defects per 10,000 births , China Daily reported , using figures from the health bureau . The most common birth defects in Beijing 's Shunyi district are congenital heart disease , excessive fingers or toes , cleft lip or palate , and neural tube defects , a regional reproductive health officer told China Daily . A rise in birth defects was also seen in the provinces of Zhejiang , Hunan , Jiangxi , and Guangdong , China Daily reported , citing Caijing magazine .
Birth defect rate nearly doubled in past decade in Beijing , state media says . Increase put down to better diagnostics and monitoring . Score: 6