Which factor is listed as a prenatal risk for developmental issues?

• A. Absence of or inadequate prenatal care
• B. Premature birth
• C. Low birth weight
• D. Birth trauma

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how prenatal care influences developmental outcomes. When prenatal care is absent or inadequate, many risks that can affect fetal growth and brain development go unaddressed. Maternal health conditions like diabetes or hypertension, infections, poor nutrition, and exposure to substances can rise without proper screening and management, leading to problems such as restricted fetal growth or preterm birth, both of which increase the chance of developmental issues later on. This factor specifically concerns care during pregnancy and can set the stage for a range of outcomes before birth, which is why it’s listed as a prenatal risk. Premature birth and low birth weight are important perinatal outcomes tied to the birth process, and birth trauma relates to delivery events, not the prenatal care status.