What are some potential causes of intellectual disabilities in newborns?

The correct answer highlights several critical factors that can contribute to intellectual disabilities in newborns. Prenatal exposure to prescription drugs, substance use, and maternal diseases plays a significant role in the development of a child’s cognitive abilities. For instance, substances such as alcohol and illicit drugs can have teratogenic effects, altering normal fetal development and leading to issues such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). Additionally, maternal infections or chronic health conditions during pregnancy can interfere with the normal development of the brain, potentially resulting in intellectual disabilities.

The selection of this answer is supported by extensive research in the field of developmental psychology and pediatrics, which illustrates how a mother’s health and choices during pregnancy are crucial to fetal development. This multifaceted approach acknowledges that multiple contributors affect intellectual outcomes, emphasizing that intellectual disabilities are not limited to one cause but rather involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and health-related factors.

Other options were too narrow in scope. Focusing solely on genetic factors or maternal disease exposure neglects the significant impact that environmental influences and maternal behaviors can have on an infant's cognitive development. Thus, understanding that a range of prenatal influences is vital for comprehensive support and prevention strategies for intellectual disabilities.