Final answer:
An infant delivered at 41 weeks of gestation is postterm and may have distinct characteristics such as lack of lanugo, absence of vernix caseosa, peeling skin, longer nails, loose skin, and be at higher risk for complications like fetal macrosomia and meconium aspiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
An infant delivered at 41 weeks of gestation is considered postterm. A postterm infant may show several characteristics that distinguish it from term infants, such as an absence of lanugo (the fine, downy hair on the body), a lack of vernix caseosa (the waxy white substance on the skin), and possibly the presence of peeling or cracked skin, particularly on the hands and feet. These infants may also have longer nails, and their skin may appear loose, especially over the thighs and buttocks.
Postterm infants are at increased risk for certain complications, like fetal macrosomia (being significantly larger than average), which might necessitate a cesarean delivery. They may also experience meconium aspiration, where they breathe in a mixture of meconium (the first feces) and amniotic fluid, potentially leading to breathing problems.
Other signs might include a leaner body appearance due to the depletion of subcutaneous fat, and they might have a wide-eyed alert look, appearing more awakened than the term neonates. It's important for healthcare providers to monitor these infants closely for any complications arising from their postterm status.