What is a key characteristic of infants born to mothers with preeclampsia?

Infants born to mothers with preeclampsia often display adaptive responses to stress, which is a key characteristic of their development. Preeclampsia can lead to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to impaired placental blood flow and reduced oxygen delivery. As a result, these infants may develop certain physiological adaptations to cope with a challenging intrauterine environment. These adaptations can include changes in metabolic and cardiovascular responses that help them manage limited resources and maintain functioning despite the adverse conditions they face during pregnancy.

The other options, while they may contain elements that could be relevant in specific contexts, do not capture the primary characteristic associated with these infants in the context of maternal preeclampsia. For example, while lower birth weights are often noted, the emphasis on adaptive responses distinguishes the nature of how these infants handle the stresses they encounter compared to the qualitative description suggested by other choices.