Gestational age

Answer 1

A term used to describe newborns who are below the 10th percentile in height or weight for their estimated gestational age. The gestational age is based upon the date of the mother's last menstrual period

Answer 2

Gestational age is a common term used in a pregnancy to determine how far along the pregnancy is. It's measured in weeks. ( from the first day of the woman's last menstrual cycle to the current date).

A normal pregnancy lasts from 32-42 weeks.

Answer 3

Definition

Gestation is the period of time between conception and birth during which the fetus grows and develops inside the mother's womb.

Gestational age is the time measured from the first day of the woman's last menstrual cycle to the current date. It is measured in weeks. A normal pregnancy can range from 38 to 42 weeks.

Infants born before 37 weeks are considered premature. Infants born after 42 weeks are considered postmature. The gestational maturity rating is measured after the baby is born by the Ballard scale or Dubowitz exam.

Alternative Names

Fetal age; Gestation

Information

Gestational age can be determined before or when the baby is born.

Prior to birth, growth is determined with ultrasound by measuring the size of the head, abdomen, and thigh bone.

Following birth, assessing an infant's weight, length, head circumference, condition of skin and hair, reflexes, muscle tone, posture, and vital signs can provide a developmental gestational age. This may not match the calendar gestational age. For example, an infant born with a gestational age of 36 weeks may actually have a developmental gestational age of 38 weeks, and therefore behave more like a full-term infant than a premature infant.

Determination of gestational age is important because it provides valuable information regarding expected or potential problems and directly affects the medical treatment plan for the baby.

Answer 4

Definition

Gestation is the period of time between conception and birth. During this time, the baby grows and develops inside the mother's womb.

Gestational age is the common term used during pregnancy to describe how far along the pregnancy is. It is measured in weeks, from the first day of the woman's last menstrual cycle to the current date. A normal pregnancy can range from 38 to 42 weeks.

Infants born before 37 weeks are considered premature. Infants born after 42 weeks are considered postmature.

Alternative Names

Fetal age; Gestation

Information

Gestational age can be determine before or after birth.

Before birth, your doctor will use ultrasound to measure the size of the baby's head, abdomen, and thigh bone. This helps determine how well the baby is growing in the womb.

After birth, gestational age can be measured by looking at the baby's weight, length, head circumference, vital signs, reflexes, muscle tone, posture, and condition of the skin and hair. The baby's developmental gestational age may not be the same as the calendar age. For example, an infant born at 36 weeks may actually have a developmental gestational age of 38 weeks. Such a baby may be more like a full-term infant than a preemie.

Determination of gestational age is important. It gives your doctor key information and directly affects the medical treatment plan for the baby.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 11/07/2011

Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine; David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.