How is physical dependence upon an addictive drug at birth classified?

Physical dependence upon an addictive drug at birth is classified as neglect because it reflects a situation where the health and well-being of an infant have been compromised due to the actions of a parent or caregiver. When an infant is born physically dependent on drugs, it indicates that the mother used substances during pregnancy, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms and other health complications for the newborn.

This classification of neglect emphasizes the responsibility of caregivers to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their children. In child welfare and legal contexts, neglect encompasses situations where parents or guardians fail to provide for the basic needs of the child, which in this case includes the prenatal exposure to harmful substances.

Other options, such as minor offense or legal infraction, do not appropriately capture the severity and implications of giving birth to a dependent infant. Also, classifying it as abuse would suggest a more intentional act, while neglect focuses more on the failure to meet necessary caregiving standards. Thus, the classification of physical dependence on an addictive drug at birth as neglect underscores the serious implications for both the child and the caregiver involved.