Hundreds of Kiwi babies have been born recently affected by drugs, alcohol, or prescription medicine - causing serious damage to their health.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Health show 772 babies were categorised as afflicted over the past five years - and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Deformed and disfigured from their toxic time in the womb, many suffer life-long conditions including physical disabilities and brain damage.

The data shows 73 babies were born affected by prescription drugs in 2017. This compares to 66 babies born in 2013.