Determination of gestational age: comparative accuracy of different methods

One hundred new-born infants were studied in an attempt to test the accuracy of selected methods of post-natal assessment of gestational age. The Finnstrom method using seven external characteristics was found to be relatively more accurate both in preterm and term infants. Dubowitz and Cappuro method were accurate in premature infants only. However in a limited number of post-term infants Cappuro method yielded better results. The Finnstrom method can be recommended for routine assessment of gestational age.