Gestational Age

Gestational age and growth parameters Growth Parameters in Neonates Growth parameters and gestational age help identify the risk of neonatal pathology. Growth is influenced by genetic and nutritional factors as well as intrauterine conditions. Growth parameters... read more help identify the risk of neonatal pathology. Gestational age is the primary determinant of organ maturity.

Gestational age is loosely defined as the number of weeks between the first day of the mother's last normal menstrual period and the day of delivery. More accurately, the gestational age is the difference between 14 days before the date of conception and the day of delivery. Gestational age is not the actual embryologic age of the fetus, but it is the universal standard among obstetricians and neonatologists for discussing fetal maturation.

Embryologic age is the time elapsed from the date of conception to the date of delivery and is 2 weeks less than the gestational age. Women may estimate the date of conception based on their time of ovulation as identified by in-home hormonal testing and/or basal body temperature measurements. However, the date of conception is definitively known only when in vitro fertilization or other assisted reproductive techniques are used.

Estimations of gestational age can be based on

The estimated date of confinement (EDC) is the date birth is expected (the due date). The EDC can be calculated as

When periods are regular and recorded contemporaneously, the menstrual history is relatively reliable.

Ultrasonographic measurements of the fetus in the 1st trimester give the most accurate estimate of gestational age when other information is lacking. When the date of conception is unknown and the menstrual cycles are irregular, unreliable, or information about them is not available, ultrasonography may be the sole source of the estimated date of confinement. In cases where the estimated date of confinement is calculated based on menstrual cycle data (see the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' [ACOG] Methods for Estimating Due Date), the ACOG recommends using the ultrasonographic date if it differs from the calculated date by

Because ultrasonographic estimates are less accurate later in pregnancy, 2nd and 3rd trimester ultrasonographic results should rarely be used to revise those done during the 1st trimester.

Newborn physical examination findings also allow clinicians to estimate gestational age using the new Ballard score Assessment of gestational age—new Ballard score . The Ballard score is based on the neonate's physical and neuromuscular maturity and can be used up to 4 days after birth (in practice, the Ballard score is usually used in the first 24 hours). The neuromuscular components are more consistent over time because the physical components mature quickly after birth. However, the neuromuscular components can be affected by illness and drugs (eg, magnesium sulfate given during labor). Because the Ballard score is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks, it should be used to assign gestational age only when there is no reliable obstetrical information about the estimated date of confinement or there is a major discrepancy between the obstetrically defined gestational age and the findings on physical examination.

Based on gestational age, neonates are classified as