Which of the following statements about congenital deformities is true?

• A. They are present at birth
• B. They are caused by infections after birth
• C. They are always inherited
• D. They cannot be prevented

Answer: (A)

Congenital deformities are anomalies that exist at birth, arising from events during fetal development such as genetic factors, chromosomal changes, or exposure to teratogens. The statement that they are present at birth is true because the term “congenital” means things that are present from birth. These deformities are not necessarily inherited—some are due to non-genetic factors or random developmental issues, while others may be hereditary. They also can be influenced by prenatal care and other preventative measures, so saying they cannot be prevented isn’t accurate. Infections after birth don’t define congenital deformities since these conditions originate during development before birth.