TITLE:
Assessing gestational age of babies: Performance of obstetric ultrasound scan compared to that from the combination of Naegle’s rule and Dubowitz score in the 21st century
AUTHORS:
Baba Usman Ahmadu
KEYWORDS:
Gestational Age; Babies; Obstetric Ultrasound Scan; Naegle’s Rule; Dubowitz Score; Maiduguri; Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Science,
Vol.5 No.8B,
August
21,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background: Some researchers have suggested that when Naegle’s rule (NR)
and Dubowitz score (DS) are combined, it could out-perform obstetric ultrasound
scan (USS). Others still believe that obstetric USS alone is still effective
relative to the combination of NR rule and DS in assessing the gestational age
(GA) of babies. Objectives: To determine and compare the GA of babies using
obstetric USS, NR and DS; and to provide relevant public health information on
obstetric USS in the 21st century. Methods:
Subjects were selected using systematic random sampling and the GA of babies
was determined using obstetric USS, NR, and DS. Statistical package for social
science (SPSS) statistical software version 16, Illinois, Chicago USA was used
for all data analysis. Results: Eightyfive mother-baby pairs were studied.
Forty-four babies (52%) were males and 41 (48%) females. Sixty four (75%) were
term with a mean (SD) BW of 3.02 (0.59) at 95%CI (2.89 -3.14) kg. The overall mean GA of the babies was 38.49 (2.89) at 95%CI (38.14 -38.85)
weeks. The mean GA using
obstetric USS, NR and DS were 38.52 (1.98) at 95%CI (38.14 -38.99), 38.09 (4.13)
at 95%CI (37.20-38.99) and 38.82 (2.02) at 95%CI (38.39 -39.26), but comparison
of these means was not significant (p = 0.256). Combined mean GA by NR and DS
was 38.46 (3.26) at 95%CI (37.96 -38.95). Comparing this mean with mean GA obtained
by obstetric USS was also not significant (p = 0.885). Conclusion: The GA assessments
by Obstetric USS, NR and DS were all reliable, and Obstetric USS performed effectively
relative to combined NR and DS.