Which of the following is NOT identified as a factor negatively influencing fetal development?

• A. Good nutrition
• B. Poverty
• C. Drug use
• D. Environmental toxins

Answer: (A)

Understanding fetal development is shaped by both risk factors and protective factors. Negative influences include poverty, which is linked to stress, limited access to healthcare, and poor living conditions; drug use, which can cross the placenta and disrupt development; and environmental toxins, which can cause growth restriction or congenital issues. Good nutrition, on the other hand, provides essential nutrients that support growth, organ formation, and placental function, helping reduce risks. Because it does not harm development and actually supports it, good nutrition is not identified as a factor negatively influencing fetal development. The other options describe conditions that can harm fetal outcomes, while good nutrition acts as a protective factor.