The New Ballard Score is an enhancement of the original Ballard Score. It is designed to provide greater accuracy and to include extremely premature infants.
Study Parameters:
(1) neuromuscular maturity: 6 parameters
(2) physical maturity: 7 parameters
Neuromuscular Maturity
(1) posture
(2) square window (wrist)
(3) arm recoil
(4) popliteal angle
(5) scarf sign
(6) heel to ear
Physical Maturity
(1) skin
(2) lanugo
(3) breast
(4) genitals, male
(5) genitals, female
(6) plantar surface
(7) eye and ear
new Ballard Score =
= SUM (points for each parameter)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: -13
• maximum score: 54
Correlation of score with gestational age
Score
Week
-10
20
-5
22
0
24
5
26
10
28
15
30
20
32
25
34
30
36
35
38
40
40
45
42
50
44
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