INACCURACY OF DUBOWITZ GESTATIONAL-AGE IN LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (4) , 491-495
Abstract
The Dubowitz gestational age was compared to the obstetric clinical age of 119 predominantly black mother-infant pairs from whom certain clinical criteria were met. Hypertensive (45) and nonhypertensive (74) gestations with infant birth weight < 2500 g were evaluated. Overall, the clinical age was 33.6 .+-. 4.5 wk vs. 34.7 .+-. 4.3 wk by Dubowitz age (P = NS [not significant]). Dubowitz age differed from clinical age by more than 2 wk in 33.6% (40/119). Of gestations under 33 wk (clinical age) (n = 45), the clinical age was 30.1 .+-. 2.4 wk as compared to the Dubowitz age of 32.2 .+-. 2.7 wk (P < 0.01). Of Dubowitz ages, 51% (23/45) were more than 2 wk discordant with the clinical age. Dubowitz assessment of gestational age may be unacceptably inaccurate in the determination of gestational age in low birth weight infants, particularly in those whose gestational age is < 33 wk. Studies in which conclusions were based on the Dubowitz age assessment may need reevaluation.

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