Which term is used to describe a condition that is present at birth?

The term "congenital" refers to a condition that is present at birth, regardless of the cause. This can include a wide range of conditions, from physical malformations to genetic disorders, that a person is born with. These conditions can arise from various factors, including genetic mutations, environmental influences during pregnancy, or a combination of both. Recognizing congenital conditions is crucial in various fields, including healthcare and mortuary science, as they often have significant implications for treatment, care, and the understanding of associated health risks later in life.

Other terms like hereditary, familial, and nosocomial have different meanings. Hereditary refers specifically to conditions passed down genetically from parents to offspring. Familial indicates that a condition occurs in multiple members of a family, but does not necessarily mean it is present at birth. Nosocomial pertains to infections acquired in a hospital setting, which is unrelated to conditions present at birth.