Osteopathies from Exogenous Etiology

Several bone anomalies can depend on exogenous factors acting on the embryo/fetus after fertilization has taken place. These are anomalies that should be defined as “connatal” rather than “congenital” since, probably, that embryo was normal at the time of the union of the two gametes. The earlier the teratogenic noxa acts on it, the more severe is usually the malformative damage. There are many factors that can alter anatomy and/or function. They are generically defined as “teratogens” and are the cause of about 10–15% of all malformations. The etiology is considered certain only in some cases (for example, cytomegalovirus infection). In most other cases, the etiology is probabilistic as several anomalies can also be caused by other agents as in the case of voluptuous factors.