term infant
Newborn delivered between 37 weeks 0 days and 41 weeks 6 days of gestation.
Full Definition
A term infant is defined as a baby born at or after 37 completed weeks of gestation but before 42 weeks of gestation, representing the normal range for fetal maturation and delivery. This classification has been refined to include subcategories: early term (37-38 weeks 6 days), full term (39-40 weeks 6 days), and late term (41-41 weeks 6 days). Term infants generally have fully developed organ systems and are expected to transition successfully to extrauterine life without the complications commonly associated with prematurity, though early term infants may still face some increased risks compared to full-term births.
Usage
Usage note: Specify gestational age in weeks and days for precise documentation.
In Context
- "The term infant demonstrated normal adaptation to extrauterine life with stable vital signs." — newborn assessment
- "Although delivered as a term infant, the baby required phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia." — clinical note