Which of the following is a cause of intellectual disability at birth?

• A. Meningitis
• B. Lead poisoning
• C. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
• D. Lack of oxygen

Answer: (D)

Lack of oxygen during birth, known as birth asphyxia, can injure the brain and set the stage for intellectual disability. When the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, neurons lose energy, become damaged or die, and key areas involved in learning and memory can be disrupted. That early brain injury can manifest as cognitive impairment as the child develops.

Meningitis, while it can cause cognitive problems, is an infection that isn’t necessarily present at birth. Lead poisoning typically occurs after birth through environmental exposure and leads to gradual neurodevelopmental effects, not an event occurring at the moment of birth. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders arise from alcohol exposure during pregnancy, affecting development before birth rather than being caused by an event during delivery.