Q80-Q89: Other congenital malformations

Q83: Congenital malformations of breast

Congenital malformations of the breast refer to a group of conditions in which the breast develops abnormally while a baby is in the womb. These abnormalities can appear in various forms and may involve one or both breasts. The anomalies can include underdevelopment (hypoplasia), or complete absence of the breast (amastia). In some cases, there can be an extra breast (polymastia) or nipple (polythelia). Breast asymmetry where one breast is larger than the other is also included in this group. The root cause of these conditions is usually an interruption in the embryonic development process, although the exact trigger may be unknown. These malformations often become visible at birth, but some may not become apparent until puberty when the breasts begin to grow and develop. These conditions do not typically cause physical discomfort, but they can impact a person's self-image and psychological health.