What term refers to conditions that occur during fetal life and are not hereditary, something an infant is born with?

• A. Congenital
• B. Genetic
• C. Mutation
• D. Down Syndrome

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is identifying conditions that are present at birth. Such conditions are described as congenital, meaning they exist when the infant is born and arise during fetal development. The term focuses on the timing—born with the condition—rather than on who passed it on or what caused it.

Genetic describes conditions tied to genes and often implies inheritance from the parents. A mutation is a change in genetic material and can be inherited or occur spontaneously; it’s a broader term that isn’t limited to birth timing. Down Syndrome is a specific genetic disorder caused by an extra chromosome.

So, the best fit for conditions that occur during fetal life and are present at birth is congenital.