congenital malformation

USAGE SUMMARY

"congenital malformation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to physical abnormalities present at birth. An example: "The baby was diagnosed with a congenital malformation affecting the heart." Alternative expressions include "birth defect" and "congenital anomaly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was born with a congenital malformation, and cannot walk.

The Guardian

Hypospadias is a relatively common congenital malformation.

European Urology

Hypospadias is a common congenital malformation.

Journal of Pediatric Urology

Manie S, et al. The RET receptor: function in development and dysfunction in congenital malformation.

Nature

Her daughter needs orthopedic shoes to correct a congenital malformation, but the family cannot afford them.

The New York Times

Research presented at the Toronto conference indicates that mild NVP is associated with a lower risk of congenital malformation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the risk in first Caesarean deliveries persisted even when deaths from congenital malformation were excluded from the calculation.

The New York Times - Health

Glandular hamartoma is an extremely rare congenital malformation of the larynx.

Auris Nasus Larynx

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a frequently encountered congenital malformation syndrome involving both hard and soft tissue.

Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery

Hypospadias is a congenital malformation in which surgical correction is indicated in most cases.

European Urology Supplements

Achieving solid arthrodesis across this congenital malformation is challenging and prone to non-union.

The Spine Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the type of "congenital malformation" if possible. For example, instead of writing "The baby was born with a congenital malformation", specify the affected area, such as "The baby was born with a congenital heart malformation."

Common error

Avoid assuming that all "congenital malformations" are genetic. While some are caused by genetic factors, others can result from environmental factors or unknown causes during pregnancy. Always use precise language to describe the known or suspected cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "congenital malformation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI provides many examples that show its use in medical and scientific contexts, accurately describing various conditions present at birth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

23%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "congenital malformation" is a noun phrase used to describe physical abnormalities present at birth. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in medical and scientific contexts. While interchangeable with "birth defect" in many situations, "congenital malformation" carries a more formal tone. Usage is frequent in scientific literature, news reports, and encyclopedias. When writing, specify the type of "congenital malformation" if possible. Be mindful of the distinction between "congenital" and "genetic", as not all "congenital malformations" are inherited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

birth malformation

This alternative is a simple reordering of the original phrase, maintaining the same meaning.

birth defect

This alternative is a more common and general term referring to any abnormality present at birth.

congenital anomaly

This alternative uses a more formal word ("anomaly") to describe a similar concept.

congenital deformation

This is almost interchangeable with the original phrase but deformation can refer to an alteration of the normal shape.

developmental abnormality

This alternative emphasizes the developmental aspect of the malformation.

fetal malformation

This alternative specifies that the malformation occurs during fetal development.

hereditary malformation

Here the malformation is specified as inherited. So the emphasis is put on the cause.

genetic defect

The emphasis is put on the genetic nature of the birth defect. It's more generic because doesn't necessarily mean the problem is inherited.

inherited anomaly

The emphasis is put on the inherited cause of the anomaly. The term is more general than the original phrase.

structural birth defect

Here the specific cause of the birth defect is the structure of the baby. The term is more general than the original phrase.

FAQs

What is the difference between a "congenital malformation" and a birth defect?

The terms "congenital malformation" and "birth defect" are often used interchangeably. However, "congenital malformation" is considered more formal and is frequently used in medical or scientific contexts, while "birth defect" is more common in general conversation.

What are some common examples of "congenital malformations"?

Some common examples of "congenital malformations" include heart defects, neural tube defects (such as spina bifida), cleft lip and palate, and Down syndrome. Each of these affects different parts of the body and has varying degrees of severity.

Is every "congenital malformation" inherited?

Not every "congenital malformation" is inherited. Some are caused by genetic factors, but others can result from environmental exposures during pregnancy (like certain medications or infections), or from unknown causes. Therefore, having a "congenital malformation" does not necessarily mean it will recur in future pregnancies.

What can I say instead of "congenital malformation"?

You can use alternatives like "birth defect", "congenital anomaly", or "developmental abnormality" depending on the context.