Confirmation of gestational age by external physical characteristics (total maturity score).

The use of the total maturity score (TMS) as a means of estimating gestational age was assessed in a population of 76 low birthweight infants (less than or equal to 2500 g) and 80 matched controls (greater than 2500 g) all of certain gestational ages. The gestational ages, derived from the last menstrual period and from the TMS, were similar except in preterm low birthweight infants. The discrepancy in this group was attributed to the structure of the scoring system. It is concluded that the TMS is a convenient and accurate method of assessing gestational age in term babies.