Determination of gestational age of newborns--a comparative study.

Four hundred newborns were evaluated to study a clinical method for assessment of gestational age which is simple, accurate and is within scope of those who are not trained in pediatrics. Gestational age was estimated by three methods, namely, the last menstrual period of mother, Dubowitz method, and a simple clinical method devised by us. Dubowitz's method was marginally superior than our method in estimating the gestational age correctly; but out method was simpler, less time consuming and less disturbing to the baby. The relation between the total score and gestational age in weeks was observed to be non-linear.