A low-birth-weight neonate whose mother is Native American and smoked heavily during pregnancy has an increased incidence of which condition?

A low-birth-weight neonate whose mother is Native American and smoked heavily during pregnancy has an increased incidence of which condition?

• A. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• B. Reactive airway disease
• C. Developmental disability
• D. Neonatal sepsis

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that prenatal tobacco exposure combined with low birth weight significantly raises the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). When the mother smokes heavily during pregnancy, nicotine and carbon monoxide reach the fetus, causing hypoxia and altered autonomic control of breathing. This can blunt the infant’s ability to arouse and respond to breathing pauses during sleep, especially in a baby with low birth weight, whose immature systems are more vulnerable. Because these factors cluster in this scenario, SIDS is the most likely outcome for this neonate. While smoking can contribute to later respiratory or developmental issues, the strongest immediate association here is with SIDS, not reactive airway disease or neonatal sepsis.

The main idea is that prenatal tobacco exposure combined with low birth weight significantly raises the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). When the mother smokes heavily during pregnancy, nicotine and carbon monoxide reach the fetus, causing hypoxia and altered autonomic control of breathing. This can blunt the infant’s ability to arouse and respond to breathing pauses during sleep, especially in a baby with low birth weight, whose immature systems are more vulnerable. Because these factors cluster in this scenario, SIDS is the most likely outcome for this neonate. While smoking can contribute to later respiratory or developmental issues, the strongest immediate association here is with SIDS, not reactive airway disease or neonatal sepsis.