a viable infant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a viable infant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in medical or legal contexts to refer to an infant that is capable of surviving outside the womb, typically after a certain gestational age. Example: "The doctors confirmed that the fetus had developed into a viable infant, ready for delivery."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The baby was considered a "viable infant" under Massachusetts law.

The New York Times

Isn't it an abomination to violently maim and murder a viable infant in the womb?

The New York Times

The brain says no to producing the hormones needed for ovulation, Dr. Frisch says, because "underweight women do not have the relative fatness necessary to have a viable infant".

The New York Times - Health

A viable infant was spontaneously delivered unassisted from the woman's body, which was suspended by the neck.

Wikipedia

All pregnant women were followed-up to know the eventual outcome of their pregnancies, and a live birth is thus defined as a viable infant born after 24 weeks of gestation.

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

A viable infant was delivered and mother discharged on postoperative day 4. Symptoms of an abdominal pregnancy are very nonspecific and often include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, palpable fetal parts, fetal mal presentation, pain on fetal movement, and displacement of the cervix.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Even those who deeply disagree about when life begins will concede that it is morally arbitrary to hold that a gestationally viable infant who dies during delivery does not count at all, whereas an infant that dies after being delivered and taking one breath, counts as a neonatal death.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Of these respondents, 7,863 women gave birth to a viable singleton infant and 6,575 women gave permission to collect information about their child's growth and infant feeding pattern, obtained from the Youth Health Care registration office of the public Health Service in Amsterdam (phase 2).

BMC Public Health

With good treatment, approximately 70% of pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome will deliver a viable live infant.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

To report a case of a habitual aborter that had a pregnancy reach near term and successfully delivered a viable female infant.

Case Reports in Women's Health

From this group 7.863 gave birth to a viable singleton infant.

BMC Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical and legal contexts, use "a viable infant" when referring to the stage of fetal development where the infant is capable of surviving outside the womb. Ensure clarity by defining the gestational age or weight considered viable in your specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "a viable infant" interchangeably with terms indicating general health or well-being. Viability specifically addresses the capacity to survive independently outside the womb, not the overall health status of the infant.

Linguistic Context

"A viable infant" functions as a noun phrase where 'viable' modifies 'infant' to specify its capacity for survival outside the womb. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is typically used in medical or legal contexts to denote that the infant has reached a developmental stage where it can potentially live independently.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a viable infant" is a term primarily used in medical and legal contexts to describe an infant capable of surviving outside the womb. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for objective discussions. The phrase is most frequently encountered in science and news media, with a formal tone, emphasizing the infant's developmental stage rather than general health. Remember to use this term accurately, differentiating viability from overall health, and considering the specific gestational age or weight criteria relevant to your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a potentially viable baby

Emphasizes the potential for viability, rather than established viability.

a survivable baby

Emphasizes the infant's ability to survive, altering the focus from potential to capability.

a thriving infant

Highlights the infant's healthy development and positive progress.

a healthy newborn

Focuses on the infant's state of health immediately after birth.

a child capable of survival

Rephrases the concept using more explicit language to describe the infant's capacity.

a robust infant

Indicates the infant's strong and healthy constitution.

a newborn with a chance of survival

Shifts the focus to the likelihood of the infant's continued existence.

a living baby

Simplifies the phrase to denote an infant that is alive.

a baby fit to live

Implies the infant is adequately healthy and strong enough to sustain life.

a sustainable infant

Suggests the infant can maintain life and health over a period of time.

FAQs

What does "a viable infant" mean in a medical context?

In a medical context, "a viable infant" refers to a fetus that has reached a stage of development where it is capable of surviving outside the uterus. The gestational age at which a fetus is considered viable can vary, but it is typically around 24 weeks.

Is there a legal definition of "a viable infant"?

Yes, many jurisdictions have legal definitions of "a viable infant", often related to abortion laws. These definitions specify a gestational age or developmental milestone at which the fetus is considered to have the potential for independent survival and thus certain legal protections.

What are some alternative ways to describe "a viable infant"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a survivable baby", "a healthy newborn", or "a child capable of survival". Each of these phrases shifts the emphasis slightly, but conveys a similar concept.

How is the term "a viable infant" used in discussions about abortion?

In discussions about abortion, the concept of fetal viability is often a key point of debate. Those who oppose abortion often argue that once a fetus reaches viability, it should be considered a person with the right to life. Conversely, those who support abortion rights often argue that viability should not be the sole determinant of legality.