What congenital condition occurs when heart valves do not function properly?

Insufficiency, in the context of heart valves, refers to a condition where the heart valves do not close properly, which leads to backflow of blood. In a normal functioning valve, blood flows in one direction, but in cases of insufficiency, the valve allows some blood to flow backward, which can compromise heart function and overall circulation. This improper functioning can be congenital, meaning it is present at birth due to developmental anomalies of the heart valves.

Stenosis refers to the narrowing of a valve opening, causing impaired blood flow, while prolapse involves a valve’s flaps being stretched or displaced, which might also lead to insufficiency. An aneurysm is a different condition altogether, characterized by an abnormal bulging in a blood vessel wall, not specifically tied to valve functionality. Therefore, insufficiency is the most accurate term for the described condition in relation to congenital heart defects affecting valve function.