Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- congenital disorder
- childhood disease and disorder - Diseases transmitted through the placenta or due to placental dysfunction
- congenital disorder - Other congenital disorders
- childhood disease and disorder - Cardiovascular disorders
- childhood disease and disorder - Nervous-system disorders
- childhood disease and disorder - Musculoskeletal disorders
How common are congenital disorders among newborn infants?
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Congenital disorders, which are abnormalities of structure or function arising during development, affect approximately 5 percent of newborn infants. This broad category encompasses a wide range of conditions, including various major groups of disorders.1
For example, congenital cardiovascular malformations are estimated to affect about seven out of every 1,000 infants. Other specific conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, occur in approximately 1 in every 2,500 births in the United States. These conditions can result from diverse factors, including genetic influences, maternal infections like rubella, or exposure to certain substances during pregnancy.234