(pōst‵mă-toor'ĭt-ē, -tūr', -choor' )

Perinatal compromise related to diminished intrauterine oxygenation and nutrition secondary to placental insufficiency occurring in infants born after 42 weeks' gestation. During labor the fetal monitor may display late decelerations, and fetal hypoxia may result in the expulsion and aspiration of meconium. Characteristic assessment findings include skin desquamation and an absence of lanugo and vernix caseosa. Laboratory findings may include polycythemia and hypoglycemia. Postmature infants may also be at increased risk of cold stress due to diminished subcutaneous fat. SYN: fetal dysmaturity syndrome; postmaturity syndrome.