Congenital
Also called “innate.” Congenital means that it existed at birth, even if it wasn’t found or became problematic until much later. Obvious congenital abnormalities are found at or before birth, but more subtle ones can escape notice for years or decades.
A congenital condition may be but is not necessarily genetic. It can come from environmental influences in the womb or during birth, or atypical fetal development. Environmental influences include but are not limited to alcohol, tobacco, drug or medication exposure during pregnancy, toxic fumes, infections and diseases.
There are many kinds of congenital conditions and debilitations, including congenital defects, congenital malformations, and congenital anomalies. Children born with heart conditions or developmental or physical disabilities are termed congenital. One congenital condition is called hydrocephalus, which literally means “water on the brain.” Cerebral spinal fluid builds up in the brain, which can have a variety of symptoms including headaches, nausea and vomiting, and urinary incontinence in youth and adults with this condition.
In Latin, congenital means to bring forth, as in bringing forth from the womb.
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