Which methods are used to assess gestational age?

The New Ballard Score, Dubowitz, and Ballard methods are all recognized techniques for assessing gestational age in newborns. The New Ballard Score is specifically designed to determine the gestational age of preterm and term infants based on physical and neurologic criteria. It is widely used due to its reliability and the ease with which it can be performed.

The Dubowitz exam, similar in purpose, assesses both physical and neurologic maturity in newborns, providing additional insights into gestational age by evaluating characteristics such as skin texture, breast development, and ear shape. The original Ballard score focuses on physical and neuromuscular signs to estimate gestational age effectively, which has made it a standard tool in neonatal care.

These methods are validated and frequently referenced in clinical practice, making them correct choices for assessing gestational age compared to other options that either include assessments not primarily focused on gestational age or contain tools that are not commonly used for such evaluations.