Twelve-year-old Jon has been suspended from middle school several times and has exhibited behavioural problems beginning in kindergarten.A pediatrician learns that his parents were heavy users of drugs and alcohol before and for a year after Jon's birth.Examining the child's medical records,she learns that Jon had a normal birth weight but has exhibited cognitive deficits his entire life.The pediatrician would be most likely to conclude that Jon's behavioural problems are due to prenatal exposure to which drug?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jon's mother's heavy use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy, particularly within the first year after Jon's birth, is the most likely cause of his cognitive deficits and behavioural problems. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to a range of lifelong deficits collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). FASDs can cause cognitive, behavioral, and developmental problems, including impulsivity, poor judgment, and inability to plan or communicate effectively. While tobacco and heroin use during pregnancy can also cause health problems, alcohol is the most likely cause of Jon's issues based on the information provided. Methadone is not mentioned in the context of Jon's medical records or his parents' drug use.

Twelve-Year-Old Jon Has Been Suspended from Middle School Several Times