POSTMATURE INFANTS Meaning and
Definition
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Postmature infants refer to babies who are born after the completion of the normal duration of pregnancy, typically after 42 weeks of gestation. These infants are considered to have surpassed their anticipated due date and are born later than the average pregnancy duration, which is generally around 40 weeks.
Postmature infants may exhibit certain physiological and developmental characteristics that differentiate them from babies born at term. Due to the extended time spent in the womb, they may appear larger and have longer nails and hair. Additionally, their skin may demonstrate a dry and cracked appearance, known as peeling. This is a result of reduced vernix caseosa, the protective substance that covers the skin of a fetus. Postmature infants may also have decreased amounts of lanugo, the fine hair that covers their bodies during development.
These infants may experience specific health challenges due to their prolonged gestational period. The placenta, essential for providing oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, can become less efficient as pregnancy progresses, potentially leading to inadequate growth and decreased amniotic fluid levels. Consequently, postmature infants may be at a higher risk of meconium aspiration syndrome, respiratory distress, low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), and, in rare cases, stillbirth.
Postmature infants often require close monitoring and careful medical attention following birth to ensure their well-being. The medical team will evaluate and address any potential complications, providing necessary interventions if required.
Common Misspellings for POSTMATURE INFANTS
- oostmature infants
- lostmature infants
- -ostmature infants
- 0ostmature infants
- pistmature infants
- pkstmature infants
- plstmature infants
- ppstmature infants
- p0stmature infants
- p9stmature infants
- poatmature infants
- poztmature infants
- poxtmature infants
- podtmature infants
- poetmature infants
- powtmature infants
- posrmature infants
- posfmature infants
- posgmature infants
- posymature infants
Etymology of POSTMATURE INFANTS
The term "postmature infants" is derived from the combination of two words: "post" and "mature".
- The word "post" comes from the Latin word "post", meaning "after" or "later". It is often used as a prefix to indicate "following" or "subsequent to".
- The word "mature" comes from the Latin word "maturus", meaning "ripe" or "fully developed". It is used to describe something that is fully grown or ready for a specific stage.
Therefore, "postmature infants" refers to babies who are born after the usual or expected time of gestation, typically beyond 42 weeks. These infants are considered "postmature" because they have not been delivered within the typical period of pregnancy.
