Which physical characteristic is expected in a 43-week-gestation male infant?

A 43-week-gestation male infant is considered post-term, meaning he has surpassed the typical length of pregnancy. One physical characteristic expected in post-term infants is desquamation, or the peeling of the skin. This occurs because the infant has been exposed to amniotic fluid for an extended period, leading to skin changes and dryness.

In terms of the other options, lanugo, which is fine hair covering the fetus, typically diminishes as the gestational age increases, often disappearing entirely by 40 weeks. Vernix caseosa, a protective substance covering the skin of the fetus, diminishes significantly after 37 weeks and is usually less present in post-term infants. Jaundice can occur at any age but is not a definitive characteristic of post-term infants and may arise from various other factors such as feeding issues or hemolysis. Thus, desquamation is the most relevant and expected characteristic for a post-term infant.