Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.

The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.

Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at OPM.gov.

What causes congenital anomalies?

Different congenital anomalies have different causes, and the causes of many congenital anomalies remain unknown.

A specific condition might be caused by one or more of the following primary problems:1

Citations

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2015). Congenital abnormalities. Retrieved April 21, 2017, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/developmental-disabilities/Pages/Congenital-Abnormalities.aspx external link
  2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Committee Opinion 832: Reducing prenatal exposure to toxic environmental agents. Retrieved December 19, 2023, from https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2021/07/reducing-prenatal-exposure-to-toxic-environmental-agents external link