Which of the following statements about prenatal alcohol exposure is false?

The statement that prenatal alcohol exposure "only affects the physical development of the fetus" is false because prenatal alcohol exposure has a wide range of effects beyond just physical development. Research has shown that alcohol exposure during pregnancy can lead to serious neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning as well as physical growth. This means that children exposed to alcohol in utero are at risk for a broad spectrum of problems that can manifest in learning difficulties, attention problems, impulse control issues, and other psychological challenges, in addition to any physical anomalies that may occur.

The complexities of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) illustrate that the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure can impact various domains of development, making option C an inaccurate assertion. Understanding the full scope of these effects is crucial for recognizing the importance of preventing alcohol consumption during pregnancy.