Islamic University Nursing College Post Mature Infants Islamic University Nursing College
Definition Infants born after completed 42 weeks gestation, calculated from the last menstrual period. ( 294 days) After 42 weeks gestation infant considered as post mature regardless of infants weight. Incidence: 12% of all births.
Etiology Exact cause unknown. Predisposing factors: Primigravida. High parity. History of previous prolonged pregnancies.
Altered Physiology Post mature may suffered from: Intrauterine malnutrition. Hypoxia. Placental dysfunction. The longer gestation the more sever problem.
Clinical Manifestations Wasted physical appearance. Little subcutaneous fat. Long thin appearance. Long fingernails and toenails. Minimum vernix caseosa. Abundant scalp hair. Skin frequently cracked & desquamating parchment like pale skin. Absence of lanugo hair.
Diagnostic evaluation General appearance. Gestational age. APGAR score. Blood gases. Complications: Meconium aspiration. Hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia & polycythemia. Pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumonia & pneumthorax.
Complications Meconium aspiration. Hypoglycemia. Hypocalcaemia. Polycythemia. Pulmonary hemorrhage. Pneumonia. Pneumothorax.
Normal value of blood gases Venous Arterial 7.32-7.42 7.35-7.45 pH 28-48 mm Hg 80-100 mm Hg PaO2 19 to 25 22 to 26 HCO3 38-52 mmHg 35-45 mmHg PaCO2
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