Prenatal Risk and Later Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The fetal period is marked by heightened vulnerability to environmental insults. The complex and patterned organization of the fetal brain lays the foundation for later maturation and behavior. Prenatal influences play a critical role in shaping the developmental trajectory of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This chapter explores prenatal risk factors, including maternal physical and mental health and exposure to adversity, teratogens, environmental hazards, and systemic factors. We consider how exposure to these factors shapes long-term neurodevelopmental processes that lead to functional abnormalities, subsequently contributing to IDD. We discuss these factors to underscore the importance of public health interventions and targeted strategies to foster healthy pregnancies, support optimal neurodevelopment, and mitigate the long-term consequences of early life adversities.