While obtaining a health history from a male adolescent during a well check-up, the nurse assesses his sexual behavior and risk for sexually transmitted infections. Based on the information, the nurse plans to teach the adolescent about using a condom. What statement would the nurse include in the teaching plan?

Choice A: Cardiac complications are not the correct answer because they are not the main cause of the high infant mortality rate. Cardiac complications are problems that affect the heart or blood vessels of the newborn, such as congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, or heart failure. They can cause serious symptoms such as cyanosis, difficulty breathing, or poor feeding. However, they account for only about 5% of all infant deaths in the United States.

Choice B: Necrotizing enterocolitis is the correct answer because it is the main cause of the high infant mortality rate. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a condition that causes inflammation and death of the intestinal tissue of the newborn, leading to infection, perforation, or sepsis. It can cause symptoms such as abdominal distension, bloody stools, or shock. It is more common in premature or low birth weight infants and accounts for about 10% of all neonatal deaths.

Choice C: Viral infections are not the correct answer because they are not the main cause of the high infant mortality rate. Viral infections are diseases that are caused by viruses that invade the cells of the newborn, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), or herpes simplex virus (HSV). They can cause symptoms such as fever, cough, rash, or blisters. However, they account for only about 2% of all infant deaths in the United States.

Choice D: Prematurity is the correct answer because it is the main cause of the high infant mortality rate. Prematurity is a condition that occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation, which is considered full-term. Premature babies are at risk of developing various complications such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, or retinopathy of prematurity. Prematurity accounts for about 35% of all infant deaths in the United States.

Choice E: Sudden infant death syndrome is the correct answer because it is the main cause of the high infant mortality rate. Sudden infant death syndrome is a condition that causes the unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby during sleep. The exact cause of sudden infant death syndrome is unknown, but some risk factors include sleeping on the stomach, overheating, smoking exposure, or soft bedding. Sudden infant death syndrome accounts for about 15% of all infant deaths in the United States.

Choice F: Low birth weight is the correct answer because it is the main cause of the high infant mortality rate. Low birth weight is a condition that occurs when a baby is born weighing less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds 8 ounces). Low birth weight babies are at risk of developing various complications such as hypothermia, hypoglycemia, or jaundice. Low birth weight accounts for about 25% of all infant deaths in the United States.

Choice A: Breast milk is not the correct answer because it is not a route of transmission for syphilis. Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum, which cannot survive in breast milk. However, breastfeeding mothers with syphilis should be treated with antibiotics to prevent other complications.

Choice B: The birth canal is not the correct answer because it is not a route of transmission for syphilis. Syphilis can be transmitted through sexual contact, but not through vaginal delivery. However, pregnant women with syphilis should be screened and treated before delivery to prevent congenital syphilis in their newborns.

Choice C: Amniotic fluid is not the correct answer because it is not a route of transmission for syphilis. Syphilis cannot cross the amniotic membrane, which protects the fetus from infections in the uterus. However, pregnant women with syphilis should be monitored for signs of fetal distress or premature rupture of membranes.

Choice D: Placenta is the correct answer because it is a route of transmission for syphilis. Syphilis can cross the placenta, which connects the mother and the fetus through blood vessels. This can result in congenital syphilis, which can cause serious problems such as stillbirth, miscarriage, low birth weight, deformities, or neurological damage in newborns.