Final answer:
The expected weight of a neonate weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces at birth after one year is approximately 21 pounds 9 ounces, which represents a tripling of the birth weight.
Step-by-step explanation:
Expected Weight of a Neonate in One Year
A neonate's weight at birth typically doubles in six months and triples by one year. A newborn who weighs 7 pounds 3 ounces would, therefore, be expected to weigh about 21 pounds 9 ounces at one year, assuming average growth rates. This rapid weight gain in infancy is crucial for proper development and sets the foundation for future growth patterns.
Initially, during the first week post-birth, it is normal for a neonate to lose a small amount of weight due to fluid loss from the lungs and delays in feeding. However, with adequate nutrition and care, the infant's weight will begin to increase significantly, averaging about an ounce a day in the first two months, then slowing down to about a pound per month for the rest of the year
By referencing average growth data and observations outlined by health organizations, we can provide the mother of the neonate with a reasonable expectation that her child's weight will be about 21 pounds 9 ounces by their first birthday, highlighting option 3) as the correct answer.