Infant, post-term


An overly mature baby that has not been born until well after the usual term pregnancy. A post-term baby is specifically one born 2 weeks (14 days) or more after the usual 9 months (280 days) of gestation. The gestation (length of the pregnancy) is calculated from the date of the last menstrual period (LMP). This is a very important calculation since, if delivery is delayed 3 weeks beyond term, the infant mortality rate skyrockets to 3 times normal.

The definition of a post-term infant has evolved. A few sources still consider a baby post-term if it is born a week after the usual 9 months’ gestation but the current trend is to consider a baby post-term only if it is born 2 weeks (14 days) or more after the usual full-term 9 months of gestation.

The terms “post-term infant” and “postmature infant” are interchangeable.

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  • Infantile hypothyroidism

    Underactivity of the thyroid gland that starts after birth in infancy or early childhood, as manifested by delays in growth and development, and by myxedema (a dry, waxy type of swelling, often including swollen lips and nose). Treatment involves use of thyroid hormone medication. Also known as Brissaud infantilism and infantile myxedema.


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