Question

A pregnant woman presents in labor at term, having had no prenatal care. After birth her infant is noted to be small for gestational age with small eyes and a thin upper lip. The infant also is microcephalic. On the basis of her infant's physical findings, this woman should be questioned about her use of which substance during pregnancy?

a. Alcohol
b. Cocaine
c. Heroin
d. Marijuana

Answer 1

The infant's characteristics, such as small eye openings, a smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, and microcephaly, suggest fetal alcohol syndrome due to maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The infant's physical findings are indicative of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is associated with maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. The distinctive facial features of a child with FAS, as per the description in the question and Figure 22.6.6, are small eye openings, a smooth philtrum, and a thin upper lip.

Additional signs and symptoms, such as microcephaly, intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities, further support the diagnosis. Given the described clinical presentation, the mother should specifically be questioned about her alcohol consumption during pregnancy, as this is a known teratogen capable of causing these effects.