What age range defines a neonate or newborn?

• A. 2 months to 12 months
• B. Birth to 4 weeks
• C. 4 weeks to 6 months
• D. Birth to 3 months

Answer: (B)

Neonate or newborn refers to the very first life stage after birth, lasting until about 28 days old—roughly four weeks. That makes birth to 4 weeks the correct definition, since it captures the entire neonatal period without extending into later infancy.

The other ranges describe periods after the newborn stage or longer:

• 2 months to 12 months covers infancy and beyond, not the newborn period.

• 4 weeks to 6 months starts at four weeks, omitting the initial birth to four-week window.

• Birth to 3 months extends beyond the neonatal timeframe, including the early infant months.