What does prenatal cocaine exposure typically cause in infants?

Prenatal cocaine exposure is known to have several negative effects on infants, one of which is hyper irritability. This condition refers to the heightened sensitivity and responsiveness of the infant to stimuli, leading to excessive crying and difficulty in calming down. Additionally, infants exposed to cocaine in utero often exhibit poor feeding patterns. This is characterized by challenges in suckling and inadequate weight gain, which can contribute to a variety of health issues following birth.

The other options present outcomes that are not typically associated with cocaine exposure. For example, low birth weight and respiratory problems can occur due to various prenatal factors, but they do not specifically capture the distinctive behavioral and feeding issues linked to cocaine exposure. Enhanced cognitive abilities are counter to the prevailing research, which shows that prenatal substance exposure can actually be detrimental to cognitive development. Finally, the development of chronic illnesses is a broad category that doesn’t pinpoint the immediate and observable behaviors seen in infants affected by cocaine. Therefore, the characteristics of hyper irritability and poor feeding are the most accurate representation of the specific outcomes of prenatal cocaine exposure.