Congenital birth defects refer to health problems present at the time of a baby’s birth.  These can be visible, physical abnormalities, or they can be internal birth defects, related to the infant’s overall health.  Congenital birth defects can be diagnosed during pregnancy, though it is not uncommon to discover them at the time of birth.  The term “congenital” simply means present at birth.

The severity of a congenital birth defect can vary from mild to severe.  An infant with a mild birth defect may appear as a normal newborn baby would, with no visible signs of a birth defect present.  In the case of a physical abnormality with mild severity, such as an additional finger or toe present at birth, these defects can often be treated in the hospital, or possibly early on in infancy.

More severe congenital birth defects may present higher risks to the infant’s overall health.  Some birth defects are so severe, that they can be life threatening.  In these instances, the infant may live a few months, or may die during childhood.

Congenital birth defects occur in about 3 out of every 100 births.  Almost 97% of infants are born normal and healthy.

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