Assessment of gestational age: the value of a maturity scoring system for head circumference and mid-arm...

Over a 10-month period, 508 newborn infants were studied in three hospitals to develop a simple maturity scoring system for head circumference and mid-arm circumference (MAC). Maturity scores were based on the 95 per cent confidence intervals on the mean measurements of the parameters for gestational age groups. Combined maturity scores had slightly better correlation with gestational age than scores for MAC and head circumference separately. The model had 90 per cent accuracy in estimating gestational age. It is a simple and reliable method, and is recommended for routine use particularly in developing countries.