Which characteristic is most common in preterm infants?

Preterm infants, born before 37 weeks of gestation, typically exhibit several characteristic features due to their premature development. One of the most notable traits is red, wrinkled skin. This appearance results from a lack of adequate subcutaneous fat and a more translucent epidermis. Their skin may look thin and fragile, which is attributed to the incomplete maturation of the skin layers, making it prone to damage and drying.

In contrast, preterm infants do not usually possess thick skin and body hair; these features develop more fully in the later stages of pregnancy. Firm muscle tone is another characteristic that can be less pronounced in preterm infants, as they may display hypotonia or decreased muscle tone due to their early birth. Additionally, normal body proportions are generally more characteristic of full-term infants, whereas preterm infants often have a disproportionate appearance due to their underdeveloped body structures, such as head and limbs.

Thus, the red, wrinkled skin is indeed the most common characteristic associated with preterm infants, reflecting their immature development at birth.