TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Gestational Age and Birthweight Classification A1 - Gomella, Tricia Lacy A1 - Cunningham, M. Douglas A1 - Eyal, Fabien G. A1 - Tuttle, Deborah J. PY - 2013 T2 - Neonatology: Management, Procedures, On-Call Problems, Diseases, and Drugs, 7e AB - Gestation is the period of fetal development from the time of conception to birth. Gestational age (or menstrual age), as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), is the “time elapsed between the first day of the last menstrual period and the day of delivery.” Gestational age is expressed in completed weeks (26-week and 4-day-old fetus is expressed as a 26-week fetus). Gestational age assessment is important for the obstetrician for obstetric care and management. Gestational age assessment is extremely important for the neonatologist for evaluation of the infant and to anticipate high-risk infants and complications. Gestational age and birthweight classification helps the neonatologist to categorize infants, guide treatment, and assess risks for morbidity and mortality. Neonates can be classified based on gestational age (preterm, late preterm, term, post term), birthweight (extremely low birthweight [ELBW], very low birthweight [VLBW], low birthweight [LBW], etc.), and gestational age and birthweight combined (small for gestational age [SGA], appropriate for gestational age [AGA], large for gestational age [LGA]). The AAP recommends that all newborns be classified by birthweight and gestational age. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1107523966 ER -