Is the leading cause of death because of cigaretter smoking called amniocentesis, quad afd plus, sudden infant death syndrome, or fetal alcohol syndrome?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Explanation:
The leading cause of death associated with cigarette smoking, particularly in infants, is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the unexpected and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, typically during sleep. It usually occurs in babies less than one year old. While the exact cause of SIDS is unknown, numerous studies have identified maternal smoking during pregnancy and exposure to secondhand smoke after birth as major risk factors.
When a pregnant woman smokes, the harmful chemicals from the cigarettes—including nicotine and carbon monoxide—pass through the placenta and affect the fetus. These substances interfere with the baby’s developing lungs and central nervous system, both of which are crucial for regulating breathing. After birth, if a baby is exposed to secondhand smoke, it further compromises their respiratory health and increases their risk of SIDS.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, health professionals strongly recommend that mothers stop smoking before and during pregnancy, and avoid exposing babies to secondhand smoke after birth. Additionally, safe sleep practices, such as placing the baby on their back to sleep, using a firm mattress, and keeping the sleep environment free of soft objects, are advised.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- Amniocentesis is a medical procedure used to diagnose genetic conditions in a fetus, not a cause of death.
- Quad AFP Plus is a prenatal screening test that assesses the risk of certain birth defects—it is not a cause of death.
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy, not smoking. Though serious, it is unrelated to the leading smoking-related cause of death.
Thus, the most accurate answer linking smoking and death—especially in infants—is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).