New Ballard Scale
New Ballard Scale ( 5 Questions)
A client is concerned about the physical characteristics of their late pre-term newborn.
What might the nurse explain about their appearance?
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.
Leathery and cracked skin is a sign of postmaturity, not prematurity.
Underdeveloped breast buds and flat scrotum are signs of very preterm or extremely preterm infants, not late preterm infants.
Wrinkled and transparent skin are also signs of very preterm or extremely preterm infants, not late preterm infants.
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:
|
Gestational age |
Weight |
Length |
Head circumference |
|
40 weeks |
3.4-3.6 kg |
51 cm |
35 cm |
|
35 weeks |
2.4-2.5 kg |
45-46 cm |
31.5-32 cm |
|
32 weeks |
1.7-1.8 kg |
42 cm |
29-29.5 cm |
|
28 weeks |
1.0-1.1 kg |
36-36.5 cm |
25-26 cm |
|
24 weeks |
0.6-0.65 kg |
31-32 cm |
21-22 cm |