How accurate is the postnatal estimation of gestational age?

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of postnatal gestational age assessment of babies using three different methods. Two hundred women attending the university obstetric unit of North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka whose expected date of delivery (EDD) by early ultrasonography fell within a week of EDD by dates were included in the study. Postnatal assessment was performed within 24 h of birth. Two co-researchers performed Dubowitz and Parkin methods separately without prior knowledge of menstrual gestation. Data was analysed using EpiInfo 6 and SPSS packages. The mean difference between menstrual gestation and Dubowitz physical criteria was -0.45 weeks; between menstrual gestation and classical Dubowitz method, +2.18 weeks; and between menstrual gestation and Parkin's method, +0.34 weeks. It was concluded that postnatal assessment of gestational age by the Parkin's method is much closer to menstrual gestation than the classical Dubowitz method and is also easier and quicker to perform.