Nail size in normal infants. Establishing standards for healthy term infants.

The nails of 48 healthy infants of 39 to 41 weeks' gestation were measured with dial calipers to establish both a method for measurement of nails and standards of nail size. Nail width and length were measured directly, and an estimated area was calculated. Nail area was compared between sexes and races and was not found to differ significantly except between races for the first fingernail. A description of the term newborn nail is presented.