What is the definition of a term infant?

A term infant is defined as one who is born between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation. This classification is crucial since the gestational age can significantly influence an infant's immediate health and development. Infants born within this timeframe are typically better developed than those born earlier, which allows them to have a higher likelihood of surviving without significant medical interventions. Term infants are less susceptible to complications associated with preterm birth, such as respiratory distress syndrome, and are generally more capable of feeding and thermoregulation compared to preterm infants.

In contrast, being born before 37 weeks signifies a preterm infant, while birth weight or length, such as weighing less than 2500 grams or being greater than 25 inches long, pertains to different classifications or conditions that do not specifically define term status. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the gestational age that distinguishes a term infant.