Environmental factors during pregnancy can contribute to congenital deformities. Which of the following is an environmental risk?

• A. A genetic mutation
• B. Maternal alcohol use during pregnancy
• C. A chromosomal abnormality
• D. Inherited trait

Answer: (B)

Exposure to a teratogen during pregnancy is a key environmental risk for congenital deformities. Maternal alcohol use is a well-established teratogen that can disrupt fetal development, especially during weeks when organs are forming. This exposure can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which include growth deficits, facial anomalies, and neurodevelopmental problems. The severity depends on the amount, timing, and pattern of drinking.

In contrast, genetic mutations and chromosomal abnormalities are changes in the fetus’s genetic material, inherited from the parents or occurring spontaneously, not environmental exposures. An inherited trait also refers to genetic characteristics passed down, not something the mother does during pregnancy. Therefore, maternal alcohol use stands out as the environmental risk factor among the options.