Which are listed as severe abuse examples?

• A. Physical abuse and neglect
• B. Emotional abuse
• C. All forms of abuse
• D. Fetal alcohol syndrome and NAS

Answer: (D)

Severe abuse examples refer to the most serious harms to a child, including conditions that arise from prenatal exposure and indicate deep, lasting harm. Fetal alcohol syndrome and neonatal abstinence syndrome fit this because they are concrete, diagnosable outcomes caused by in utero exposure to substances and by withdrawal after birth. FAS involves physical and neurodevelopmental disabilities from alcohol crossing the placenta, while NAS results in withdrawal symptoms in the newborn due to prenatal exposure to substances. These conditions represent severe, enduring harm to a child, which is why they’re highlighted as severe abuse examples. Other options describe types of maltreatment (like physical, neglect, or emotional abuse) but don’t point to the specific severe outcomes that prenatal exposure and withdrawal illustrate.