noun
- Fine, soft, downy hair that covers the body of a human fetus and newborn infant, usually shed within a few weeks after birth.
- Fine, downy hair found on the bodies of certain animals.
Usage: Medical/anatomical term; Most commonly used in obstetrics and pediatrics
Usage: Biological/zoological usage
Examples
- The newborn was covered in lanugo, which gradually disappeared over the first few weeks of life.
- Doctors examined the lanugo on the premature infant as part of their developmental assessment.
- Lanugo is a normal feature of fetal development and is not a cause for concern.
- The fine lanugo on the baby's shoulders and back faded naturally within a month.
- In some cases, excessive lanugo may be observed in infants born before 36 weeks of gestation.