Maturity.A higher score on the New Ballard Scale indicates that the newborn is more mature based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics.The scale can be used to estimate the gestational age of a newborn infant when there is no reliable obstetrical information or a major discrepancy between the estimated date of delivery and the infant’s appearance.The scale is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks and can be used up to 4 days after birth, but usually within the first 24 hours.

Choice A is wrong because prematurity means that the newborn is born before the normal term of pregnancy, which is usually less than 37 weeks of gestation.Premature infants have lower scores on the New Ballard Scale because they have less developed physical and neuromuscular features.

Choice B is wrong because developmental delays mean that the newborn has not reached certain milestones of growth and development that are expected for their age.

Developmental delays are not directly related to the gestational age of a newborn and cannot be assessed by the New Ballard Scale.

Choice C is wrong because neurological immaturity means that the newborn has not developed sufficient brain function and nervous system activity that are necessary for survival and adaptation.

Neurological immaturity is not the same as neuromuscular maturity, which is one of the components of the New Ballard Scale.Neuromuscular maturity refers to the posture, tone, reflexes, and movements of the newborn’s muscles and joints.

It determines the gestational age and identifies developmental risks.TheNew Ballard Scaleis a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics.The scale can be used when there is no reliable obstetrical information or a major discrepancy between the estimated date of delivery and the infant’s appearance.The scale is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks and can be used up to 4 days after birth, but usually within the first 24 hours.The scale has been refined and expanded to include extremely premature neonates.

Choice A is wrong because it assesses the newborn’s cognitive development.The New Ballard Scale does not measure cognitive development, but rather physical and neuromuscular maturity.

Choice B is wrong because it evaluates the baby’s physical strength and coordination.The New Ballard Scale does not measure strength and coordination, but rather physical characteristics such as skin, lanugo, plantar surface, breast, eye/ear, and genitals, and neuromuscular characteristics such as posture, square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle, scarf sign, and heel to ear.

Choice C is wrong because it measures the newborn’s respiratory maturity.The New Ballard Scale does not measure respiratory maturity, but rather gestational age based on physical and neuromuscular criteria.

The neuromuscular maturity test on a newborn using the New Ballard Scale evaluates the flexion in different positions.The test is a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics.The test can be used when there is no reliable obstetrical information or a major discrepancy between the estimated date of delivery and the infant’s appearance.

Choice A is wrong because skin thickness and appearance are part of the physical maturity score, not the neuromuscular maturity score.

Choice B is wrong because presence of lanugo and breast buds are also part of the physical maturity score, not the neuromuscular maturity score.

Choice D is wrong because creases on the bottom of feet are another part of the physical maturity score, not the neuromuscular maturity score.

Thicker skin and absence of lanugo.Late preterm infants are born at a gestational age between 34 and 36 completed weeks of pregnancy.They have higher morbidity and mortality rates than term infants, but they also have some physical characteristics that distinguish them from very preterm or extremely preterm infants.

Choice B is wrong because leathery and cracked skin is a sign of postmaturity, not prematurity.

Choice C is wrong because underdeveloped breast buds and flat scrotum are signs of very preterm or extremely preterm infants, not late preterm infants.

Choice D is wrong because wrinkled and transparent skin are also signs of very preterm or extremely preterm infants, not late preterm infants.

Normal ranges for gestational age, weight, length and head circumference can be found in the table below:

According to the New Ballard Score, a newborn with well-developed breast buds, creases on the bottom of feet, and no lanugo has a total physical maturity score of 40, which corresponds to a gestational age of 40 weeks.

This is within the normal range of 37 to 42 weeks for a full-term baby.

Choice B. Pre-term is wrong because a pre-term baby has a gestational age of less than 37 weeks and would have immature physical characteristics such as sticky or transparent skin, no creases on the feet, and abundant lanugo.

Choice C. Late pre-term is wrong because a late pre-term baby has a gestational age of 34 to 36 weeks and would have less developed physical characteristics such as smooth pink skin, faint red marks on the feet, and thinning lanugo.

Choice D. Post-term is wrong because a post-term baby has a gestational age of more than 42 weeks and would have more advanced physical characteristics such as cracking or leathery skin, no lanugo, and pendulous testes or large labia majora.