Correct Answer: fetal anoxia to address the question about which of the given options is an example of a perinatal cause of intellectual disability, it is essential to understand each term and how they relate to intellectual development.
**fetal anoxia:** fetal anoxia is indeed a perinatal condition, as it refers to the absence or severe deficiency of oxygen to the fetus during the birth process. this lack of oxygen, if prolonged, can result in brain injury, which could lead to intellectual disabilities among other developmental issues. perinatal causes, as stated, specifically concern events occurring during birth. instances such as the umbilical cord being wrapped around the baby's neck or premature detachment of the placenta can lead to fetal anoxia. thus, fetal anoxia is a clear example of a perinatal cause of intellectual disability.
**shaken baby syndrome:** this is a form of child abuse that occurs when a baby is violently shaken. the forceful shaking can cause the brain to move inside the skull, leading to bruising, swelling, and bleeding, which can result in permanent, severe brain damage. although this can lead to intellectual disabilities, shaken baby syndrome is not a perinatal cause, as it is not related to the birth process itself but rather to events that could occur at any point during infancy.
**fetal alcohol syndrome:** this syndrome results from alcohol exposure during the mother's pregnancy, not during the birthing process. when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it can cross the placenta and affect the developing fetus's brain, leading to intellectual disabilities among other issues. however, since this exposure happens during pregnancy and not specifically during birth, it is not considered a perinatal cause.
**down syndrome:** this is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. it is characterized by intellectual disability, a distinct facial appearance, and other developmental anomalies. down syndrome is typically caused by a random genetic mutation that happens during the formation of reproductive cells, not during the birth process. therefore, it does not fall under perinatal causes.
in summary, out of the options provided, **fetal anoxia** is the correct answer as it is directly related to complications that arise during the birth process, fitting the definition of a perinatal cause of intellectual disability.
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