Medfødt

Medfødt is a term used in Norwegian and Danish (and understood in other Scandinavian languages) to describe conditions, traits, or characteristics that are present at birth. In medical contexts, medfødt refers to disorders or features that are intrinsic from the start of life, regardless of when symptoms become noticeable. The opposite concept is ervervet (acquired), which describes conditions that develop after birth due to injuries, illnesses, or environmental factors.

Causes and types of medfødt conditions can be genetic, environmental, or a combination of both. Genetic factors include chromosomal anomalies (such as Down syndrome) and single-gene mutations. Environmental factors during pregnancy—such as infections, certain medications, alcohol, or nutritional deficiencies—can also lead to medfødt conditions. Medfødt conditions are commonly categorized as congenital malformations (structural abnormalities present at birth), congenital diseases (inborn metabolic or hormonal disorders), or congenital infections (infections contracted before birth). Some conditions may be detected only later in infancy or childhood, even though they were medfødt in origin.

Detection and management often involve prenatal screening and diagnostic testing, such as ultrasound, maternal blood tests, or invasive procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. Newborn screening programs test for certain medfødt conditions shortly after birth to enable early treatment. Management and prognosis vary widely: some medfødt conditions can be treated or corrected with medical or surgical interventions and allow a normal or near-normal life, while others require lifelong care and support. Prevention strategies include folic acid supplementation to reduce neural tube defects and avoidance of teratogens, along with genetic counseling for families with a history of congenital conditions.