A premature infant may be classified based on weight and gestational age at birth.
Measures:
(1) absolute birthweight
(2) weeks gestation
(3) percent birthweight for gestational age
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Birth Weight in Grams
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Term
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< 1,000 grams
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extremely low birth weight
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1,000 - 1,499
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very low birth weight
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1,500 - 2,499
|
low birth weight
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where:
• According to Conry, the mean birth weight at 35 weeks is 2,500 grams and at 37 weeks is 2,870 grams.
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Weeks Gestation
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Term
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< 38 weeks
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preterm
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38 - 42 weeks
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term
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> 42 weeks
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post-term
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Percent Birth Weight for Gestational Age
|
Term
|
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< 10%
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small for gestational age (SGA)
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10 - 90%
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appropriate for gestational age (AGA)
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> 90%
|
large for gestational age (LGA)
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