Which of the following is an effect of smoking on fetal development?

Smoking during pregnancy has been shown to have several adverse effects on fetal development, one of the most significant being the increased risk of developmental delays. Exposure to nicotine and other harmful substances present in cigarettes can impair brain development in the fetus. This impairment can lead to cognitive and behavioral issues that may manifest as developmental delays after birth.

Smoking reduces the oxygen supply to the fetus and can lead to complications such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and stillbirth, all of which can contribute to developmental challenges. Moreover, children exposed to tobacco in utero may be at a higher risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning difficulties, which further underline the connection between maternal smoking and developmental risks.

In contrast to this, increased birth weight, improved lung function, and a higher likelihood of multiple births are not associated with smoking and do not reflect the detrimental impact of smoking on fetal growth and development.