What is the definition of a congenital disorder?

Study for the Medical Terminology for Health Professions Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations for each term. Prepare effectively for your upcoming test!

A congenital disorder is characterized as a genetic disorder that is evident at birth. This means that such disorders arise during the fetal development stage and can be caused by genetic factors, environmental influences, or a combination of both. Many congenital disorders have a clear genetic basis, resulting from mutations or chromosomal abnormalities that lead to specific developmental issues.

In this context, the other options do not accurately represent the definition of congenital disorders. For instance, a disease originating from a hospital does not pertain to congenital conditions and rather relates to nosocomial infections. Learning impairments during childhood can occur for various reasons but are not limited to or specifically defined as congenital disorders. Lastly, while physical effects from substance abuse during pregnancy can lead to disorders such as fetal alcohol syndrome, they are not necessarily classified as congenital in the same genetic sense as disorders that are present at birth due to inherent genetic issues. Thus, the correct choice highlights the direct genetic aspect of congenital disorders, aligning with the standard medical terminology.

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