Which term refers to structural heart problems present at birth, and is the most common type of heart defect?

• A. Varicose veins
• B. Hypothermia
• C. Congenital heart defects
• D. Sickle cell anemia

Answer: (C)

Structural heart problems present at birth are called congenital heart defects. They develop while the heart is forming in the womb and are the most common type of heart defect seen in newborns. These defects can include holes in the heart walls, valve abnormalities, or unusual connections of blood vessels, and they range from mild to life‑threatening, with some cases needing medical or surgical treatment. The other terms aren’t about the heart’s structure: varicose veins involve veins in the legs, hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature, and sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder. So the correct term is congenital heart defects.