Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of smoking during pregnancy?

Smoking during pregnancy is associated with several adverse effects, and one significant risk is the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, typically during sleep. Numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between maternal smoking and SIDS, indicating that babies exposed to tobacco smoke before and after birth are at a higher risk for this tragic outcome. This is thought to be due to the effects of nicotine and other harmful substances in cigarettes that can impact fetal development and the newborn's respiratory system.

In contrast, the other options present assertions that do not align with established medical knowledge: smoking is not associated with increased birth weight; it is more likely to contribute to lower birth weights due to placental insufficiency and other complications. Furthermore, smoking is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth rather than a decrease. Similarly, it has widely recognized detrimental impacts on pregnancy, contradicting the idea that it has no impact on pregnancy outcomes. Thus, the increased risk of SIDS stands out as a critical concern for maternal and fetal health associated with smoking during pregnancy.