postmature infant
Noun: A postmature infant is a baby born after a gestation period that has extended beyond the typical 40 weeks, specifically after 42 weeks of gestation. Such an infant often exhibits physical signs indicating that the placenta is no longer functioning optimally to support the baby's needs.
The term is used in medical and clinical contexts to describe and categorize newborns based on their gestational age and associated physical condition at birth. - The pediatrician noted that the newborn was a postmature infant, requiring close monitoring for potential complications. - Diagnosis of a postmature infant involves assessing both the gestational timeline and clinical signs of placental insufficiency.
In medical literature, the condition of being postmature is sometimes referred to as postmaturity syndrome. The focus is on the infant's status as a consequence of prolonged gestation. - The study compared the outcomes of postmature infants with those born at full term.
- Postmaturity (n): The state or condition of being postmature.
- Post-term infant (n): A synonym often used interchangeably with "postmature infant."
- Placental insufficiency (n): The key associated condition where the placenta fails to deliver adequate nutrients and oxygen to the fetus.
- Post-term infant
- Prolonged gestation infant
The term specifically denotes an infant whose birth occurs after 42 completed weeks of gestation. It is distinct from a term infant (born between 37 and 42 weeks) and a preterm infant (born before 37 weeks). The primary clinical concern is the associated placental insufficiency, which may result in characteristics such as dry, peeling skin, long nails, and reduced subcutaneous fat.
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infant born after 42 weeks of gestation; usually shows signs of placental insufficiency
