Synnynnäisiä

Synnynnäisiä is a Finnish term used as an adjective to describe traits, conditions, or anomalies that are present at birth. In medical language it corresponds to the English term congenital and is commonly used to distinguish birth-origin conditions from those acquired later in life. The form can modify nouns related to health, development, or anatomy, for example referring to congenital heart defects or congenital musculoskeletal differences.

The word originates from Finnish roots related to birth, and in everyday and clinical Finnish it functions as a descriptive qualifier rather than a diagnosis by itself. It is widely employed across healthcare, epidemiology, and genetics to categorize conditions observed at or around the time of birth. The term covers a broad range of conditions affecting any organ system, and it is commonly encountered in discussions of newborn screening, prenatal care, and congenital anomaly registries.

Congenital conditions can arise from genetic factors, chromosomal abnormalities, environmental influences during pregnancy, or a combination of these. In many cases the exact cause remains unknown. Detection often occurs through prenatal screening such as ultrasound or diagnostic tests, or after birth through physical examination and specialized testing. Management depends on the specific condition and may involve medical treatment, surgical intervention, rehabilitation, and long-term support. Genetic counseling is frequently offered to families to discuss recurrence risks and implications for future pregnancies.

Synnynnäisiä is thus a broad descriptor used in Finnish healthcare to categorize conditions present from birth, emphasizing their origin rather than their progression or severity. See also congenital anomalies, prenatal screening, neonatal care, and genetic counseling.