congenital

congenital /con·gen·i·tal/ (kon-jen´ĭ-t'l) existing at, and usually before, birth; referring to conditions that are present at birth, regardless of their causation.

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con·gen·i·tal (kn-jn-tl)

adj.

1. Existing at or before birth usually through heredity, as a disorder.

2. Acquired at birth or during uterine development, usually as a result of environmental influences.

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Congenital

Existing at or before birth; a condition that developed while the fetus was in utero or as a consequence of the birth process.

Mentioned in: Arteriovenous Fistula, Bronchiolitis, Cerebral Aneurysm, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital Bladder Anomalies, Congenital Brain Defects, Congenital Heart Disease, Congenital Lobar Emphysema, Congenital Ureter Anomalies, Cri Du Chat Syndrome, Cytomegalovirus Infection, Esophageal Disorders, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Homocysteine, Hypercoagulation Disorders, Hypopituitarism, Kidney Disease, Kyphosis, Liver Disease, Lower Esophageal Ring, Meckel's Diverticulum, Medullary Sponge Kidney, Ovarian Torsion, Peyronie's Disease, Polydactyly and Syndactyly, Polyglandular Deficiency Syndromes, Polyhydramnios and Oligohydramnios, Ptosis, Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency, Pulmonary Valve Stenosis, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, Spinal Stenosis, Valvular Heart Disease, Varicose Veins

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congenital

[kənjen′itəl]

Etymology: L, congenitus, born with

present at birth, as a congenital anomaly or defect. Compare acquired, familial, hereditary.

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congenital [kon-jen´ĭ-t'l]

existing at, and usually before, birth; referring to conditions that are present at birth, regardless of their causation. Cf. hereditary.

congenital heart defect a structural defect of the heart or great vessels or both, present at birth. Any number of defects may occur, singly or in combination. They result from improper development of the heart and blood vessels during the prenatal period. Congenital heart defects occur in about 8 to 10 of every 1000 live-born children in the United States. The most common types are tetralogy of fallot, patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, transposition of great vessels, and coarctation of the aorta.

In many cases, depending on the severity of the defect and the physical condition of the patient, these congenital conditions can be treated by surgery. However, some are so minor that they do not significantly affect the action of the heart and do not require surgery. The cause of most of these conditions is unknown. Gene abnormalities account for about 5 per cent, and in a small number of other cases they may be seen in a child whose pregnant mother had rubella (German measles) during the first 2 or 3 months of pregnancy.

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congenital,

adj present at birth and usually developed in utero.

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congenital

present at and existing from the time of birth.

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congenital articular rigidity

see arthrogryposis.

congenital defects

abnormalities of structure or function which are present at birth. They may or may not be inherited. There are a number of diseases, for example the lysosomal storage diseases, which may be inherited or environmental in causation, in which the insult is supplied while the fetus is in utero, but the defect does not become apparent until some time after birth. By definition these are not congenital defects although the animal is born with the metabolic lesion in place. See also individual defects listed by organ or system.

congenital erythropoietic porphyria

see porphyria.

infectious congenital tremor

see congenital tremor syndrome of piglets.

congenital loco

a congenital, inherited disease of domestic chickens characterized by opisthotonos, orthotonos, inability to stand, violent somersaulting. Affected birds die of starvation and dehydration.

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congenital 

Pertaining to a condition that dates from the time of birth. It may be inherited or caused by an environmental factor. See acquired; familial; hereditary.

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congenital

adjective Referring to a condition present at birth, regardless of causation

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Patient discussion about congenital.

Q. What is the treatment for an arachnoid cyst? My 15 year old son has just been diagnosed with an arachnoid cyst. What is the treatment? Is an operation necessary?

A. There has been active debate about how to treat arachnoid cysts. The need for treatment depends mostly upon the location and size of the cyst. If the cyst is small, not disturbing surrounding tissue, and not causing symptoms, some doctors will refrain from treatment. In the past, doctors placed shunts in the cyst to drain its fluid. Now with microneurosurgical techniques and endoscopic tools that allow for minimally invasive surgery, more doctors are opting to surgically remove the membranes of the cyst or open the cyst so its fluid can drain into the cerebrospinal fluid and be absorbed.