Defect

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin defectus lack, from deficere to desert, fail, from de- + facere to do

• Date: 15th century

Definitions

• 1 a : an imperfection that impairs worth or utility : shortcoming <the grave defects in our foreign policy>

b : an imperfection (as a vacancy or an unlike atom) in a crystal lattice

• 2 [Latin defectus] : a lack of something necessary for completeness, adequacy, or perfection : deficiency <a hearing defect>

Description

Congenital disorder involves defects in or damage to a developing fetus. It may be the result of genetic abnormalities, the intrauterine (uterus) environment, errors of morphogenesis, infection, or a chromosomal abnormality. The outcome of the disorder will further depend on complex interactions between the pre-natal deficit and the post-natal environment. Animal studies indicate that the mother's (and possibly the father's) diet, vitamin intake, and glucose levels prior to ovulation and conception have long-term effects on fetal growth and adolescent and adult disease.[2] Congenital disorders vary widely in causation and abnormalities. Any substance that causes birth defects is known as a teratogen. The older term congenital disorder does not necessarily refer to a genetic disorder despite the similarity of the words.[1]