Question

Taking into consideration that a mother takes MARIJUANA during the pregnancy period, what effect can this have on the fetus?

A. crib death
B. lower birth weights and pre-term births
C. skill defects
D. pre-term birth

Answer 1

Smoking marijuana during pregnancy can lead to b) premature birth, low-birth-weight infants, and can affect the long-term brain development of the child. These outcomes are due to marijuana's status as a teratogen, which can cross the placenta and harm fetal development.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a mother smokes marijuana during pregnancy, the fetus can be significantly affected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that smoking during pregnancy can lead to a series of adverse outcomes, which include premature birth, low-birth-weight infants, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Additionally, marijuana use during pregnancy can result in long-term problems, such as issues with brain development, learning, and memory if the substance is used from a young age. In the case of marijuana, similar to other teratogens like alcohol and cocaine, it can cross the placenta and affect the fetus, leading to potential developmental problems during and after pregnancy.