1. Islamic University Nursing College
Post Mature Infants
Islamic University
Nursing College

2. 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.

3. Etiology Exact cause unknown. Predisposing factors: Primigravida.
High parity.
History of previous prolonged pregnancies.

4. Altered Physiology Post mature may suffered from:
Intrauterine malnutrition.
Hypoxia.
Placental dysfunction.
The longer gestation the more sever problem.

5. 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.

6. Diagnostic evaluation
General appearance.
Gestational age.
APGAR score.
Blood gases.
Complications:
Meconium aspiration.
Hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia & polycythemia.
Pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumonia & pneumthorax.

7. Complications Meconium aspiration. Hypoglycemia. Hypocalcaemia.
Polycythemia.
Pulmonary hemorrhage.
Pneumonia.
Pneumothorax.

8. Normal value of blood gases
Venous
Arterial pH
28-48 mm Hg
mm Hg
PaO2
19 to 25
22 to 26
HCO3
38-52 mmHg
35-45 mmHg
PaCO2

9. Thank You