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Definition

infant

(in'fănt )

[L. infans, baby, infant, unspeaking]

  1. A child in the first year of life.

    SEE: neonate.

  2. In the law, a person below the legal age; a minor.

    SEE: minor (2).

postterm i.An infant born after the beginning of the 42nd week of gestation (longer than 288 days).

premature i.Preterm infant.

preterm i.An infant born before the completion of 37 weeks (259 days) of gestation. SYN: premature infant.

SEE: prematurity.

i. of substance-abusing mother

ABBR: ISAM

An all-inclusive term for a newborn whose birth mother used alcohol, cocaine, opiates, or other potentially hazardous chemicals during pregnancy. These babies are considered to be at high risk for complications during the neonatal period; many also exhibit related long-term disabilities that influence their potential for normal growth and development. Perinatal complications include intrauterine growth retardation, infection, asphyxia, congenital abnormalities, low birth weight, low Apgar score, withdrawal-related symptoms, jaundice, and behavioral problems. Long-term complications include behavioral problems such as short attention span, delayed development of language-related skills, and sudden infant death syndrome.

SEE: cocaine baby; fetal alcohol syndrome; heroin.

term i.An infant born between the beginning of the 38th week through the 41st week of gestation (260 to 287 days).