Summary
1020 neonates born in the State Zenana Hospital, Jaipur, were studied for evidence of prematurity according to various criteria. The data obtained were recorded and analysed. Special emphasis was laid on the clinical criteria evolved by Usher. The incidence of prematurity, in these 1020 cases, according to the various criteria was determined: Weight up to 2,500 G. 55.6%, crown-heel length less than 47 cm. 52.5%, crown-rump length less than 32 cm. 72.9%, head circumference less than 33 cm. 53.9%, difference between head and chest circumference more than 3 cm. 25.9%, gestational age as evolved by history 16.8%, and clinical criteria of Usheret al. (1966) 13.2%. A comparison of the reliability of the above criteria was made with known gestational age, a definitive criterion. It was found that Usher's criteria were the most reliable for the diagnosis of gestational maturity, next to an accurate history of the gestational age.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Athavale, V.B. (1963). Some observations on temperature in the newborn.Indian J. Child. Hlth. 12, 381.
Amar Singhe, P.G. and Dissanayke, P. (1958). Cited by De Silva (1962).
Amiel-Tison, C. (1968). Neurological evaluation of the maturity of newborn infants.Arch. Dis. Childh. 43, 89.
Balkrishan, S. and Puri, R.K. (1973). Foetal age and morphological features.Indian Pediatr. 10, 427.
Bettaglia, F.C. and Lubchenco, L.O. (1967). A practical classification of newborn infants by weight and gestational age.J. Pediatr. 71, 159.
Baxi, P.G. (1960). The problem of prematurity.J. Indian Med. Ass. 34, 346.
Chaudhuri, Amala (1955). Mortality rate and its relationship to maturity weight-level.Indian J. Pediatr. 22, 145.
Chickermani, A.S., Majumdar, G.R. and Shah, A.P. (1969). The use of maturity score in the assessment of gestational age of newborn babies with special reference to prematurity.Indian Pediatr. 8, 201.
Cross, V.M. (1971). The Preterm Baby.Churchill Livingstone, London.
Das Gupta, B.C. (1951). I.C.M.R. Report of the Enquiry into the Bearing of Premature and Immature Birth on Infant Mortality.
De Silva, C.C., Fernando, P.V.D. and Guanarante, C.D. (1962). The search for a prematurity level in Colombo, Ceylon.J. Trop. Pediatr. 8, 29.
Ellis, R.W.B. and Lawley, D.N. (1951). Assessment of prematurity by birth weight, crown-rump length and head circumference.Arch. Dis. Childh. 26, 411.
Farr, V. and Mitchell, R.G. (1969). Estimation of gestational age in the newborn infant.Amer. J. Obstet. Gynec. 103, 380.
Ghosh, L. and Chanra Shekhar (1948). A study of standard of maturity for Indian infants.Government of India Press, Calcutta.
Ghosh, S. and Beri, S. (1962). Standard of prematurity for North Indian babies.Indian J. Child. Hlth. 11, 210.
Kalra, K., Kishore, N. and Dayal, R.S. (1967). Anthropometric measurements in the newborns. A study of 1000 consecutive live births.Indian J. Pediatr. 34, 73.
Lubchenco, L.O. (1970). Assessment of Gestational age and Development at Birth.Pediat. Cl. North. Am. 17, 125.
Miller (1886): as cited in Editorial,Indian J. Child Hlth. 12: 261, 1963.
Mitchell, R. G. and Farr, V. (1965). Gestational age, size and maturity.Clinics Development. Med. 19, 83.
Morison, J.E. (1963). Foetal and Neonatal Pathology.Butteworth, London.
Parekh, P., Balapenkar, K.N. and Kaul, K.K. (1972). An evaluation of neurological and clinical criterion in the assessment of gestational age in the newborns.Indian Pediatr,9, 737.
Ruppert, E.S. and Johnson, E.W. (1968). Motor Nerve conduction velocities in low birth-weight infants.Pediatrics 42, 255.
Saigal, S. and Srivastava, J.R. (1968). Newer clinical criteria for prematurity.Indian Pediatr. 8, 369.
Saint Anne-Dargassies, S. (1955). As cited by Mitchell and Farr, 1965.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
From the Neonatal Unit, Department of Paediatrics, S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Purohit, N.N., Purohit, M. & Saxena, S. Critical evaluation of Usher's criteria in the assessment of gestational age. Indian J Pediatr 44, 237–244 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02892187
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02892187