Clinical assessment of gestational age in the newborn infant. Comparison of two methods

A clinical assessment of gestational age was performed in a group of 92 newborn infants. The Dubowitz method (1970) based on 10 neurological and 11 "external" criteria and the Finnström method (1977) based on 7 "external" criteria have been applied. A comparison between these two methods showed a correct estimation of gestational age within +/- 2 weeks in 86.95% of cases with the Finnström method and in 80.72% of cases with the Dubowitz method. A correct estimation within +/- 3 weeks was found in more than 90% of the infants with both methods. No significant difference between the two methods was found. In about 10% of cases of Dubowitz method could not be applied because of the serious conditions of the infants. Assessment of gestational age with the Finnström method proves to be less stressful for the infant, less time consuming and feasible on a larger number of infants than the assessment with the Dubowitz method. For these reasons the Finnström method seems to be more advisable for clinical routine work.