The New Ballard Score allows scores of -1 for the criteria, hence making negative scores possible. The possible scores then range from -10 to 50, the gestational range extending up to 20 weeks.
What is the Ballard Score for gestational age assessment?
The Ballard Score Maturational Assessment of Gestational Age in Newly Born Infants 1 Posture 2 Square Window 3 Arm Recoil 4 Popliteal Angle 5 Scarf Sign 6 Heel to Ear
What is the Ballard Score training?
Ballard Score Training - Performing the Assessment of Physical Maturity 1. Skin 2. Lanugo 3. Plantar Surface 4. Breast 5. Eye/Ear 6. Genitals-Male 7. Genitals-Female Monograph for Assessing the Maturational Age of the Newborn Infant Using the New Ballard Score
What is Ballard’s assessment?
It was devised by Dr Jeanne L Ballard, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The assessment assigns a score to various criteria, the sum of all of which is then extrapolated to the gestational age of the fetus.
What is a good birth score for a baby?
At most, a child will receive an overall score of 10. However, a baby rarely scores a 10 in the first few moments of life. This is because most babies have blue hands or feet immediately after birth.

What is the normal Ballard score?
SIGNPHYSICAL MATURITY SCOREPlantar Surfaceheel-toe 40-50mm: -1 <40mm: -2anterior transverse crease onlyBreastimperceptablestippled areola 1-2 mm budEye / Earlids fused loosely: -1 tightly: -2well-curved pinna; soft but ready recoilGenitals (Male)scrotum flat, smoothtestes descending, few rugae4 more rows
What does the Ballard examination of a newborn infant assess?
The Dubowitz/Ballard Examination evaluates a baby's appearance, skin texture, motor function, and reflexes. The physical maturity part of the examination is done in the first 2 hours of birth. The neuromuscular maturity examination is completed within 24 hours after delivery.
What does the New Ballard score assess?
The Ballard score is commonly used to determine gestational age. Here's how it works: Scores are given for 6 physical and 6 nerve and muscle development (neuromuscular) signs of maturity. The scores for each may range from -1 to 5.
How accurate is Ballard score?
The sensitivityof New Ballard score to identify premature baby was 87.7%,specificity 96.3%, positive predictive value 95.2% and negativepredictive value 90.2 %. Conclusions New Ballard score can be used to replace Ballardscore if LMP can not be assessed.
What is Ballard NICU?
The Ballard score is based on the neonate's physical and neuromuscular maturity and can be used up to 4 days after birth (in practice, the Ballard score is usually used in the first 24 hours). The neuromuscular components are more consistent over time because the physical components mature quickly after birth.
What is a normal newborn assessment?
Care providers evaluate vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and breathing rate. They also check the infant's general appearance from head to toe, looking at everything from soft spots on the skull to breathing patterns to skin rashes to limb movement.
Why do we give vitamin K to newborns?
Low levels of vitamin K can lead to dangerous bleeding in newborns and infants. The vitamin K given at birth provides protection against bleeding that could occur because of low levels of this essential vitamin.
What is a normal weight of a newborn baby?
The average birth weight for babies is around 3.5 kg (7.5 lb), although between 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) and 4.5 kg (10 lb) is considered normal. In general: Boys are usually a little heavier than girls. First babies are usually lighter than later siblings.
How do you score an Apgar score?
Doctors, midwives, or nurses add up these five factors for the Apgar score....Each is scored on a scale of 0 to 2, with 2 being the best score:Appearance (skin color)Pulse (heart rate)Grimace response (reflexes)Activity (muscle tone)Respiration (breathing rate and effort)
How do you score Ballard?
In such a case, you have two options: Perform the remainder of the neuromuscular criteria, then assign a similar score to the popliteal angle and heel to ear. Wait 24 to 48 hours or until flexor tone has returned to the hamstrings and gluteus muscles, and repeat the assessment.
Who developed Ballard score?
Dr Jeanne L BallardThe Ballard Maturational Assessment, Ballard Score, or Ballard Scale is a commonly used technique of gestational age assessment. It was devised by Dr Jeanne L Ballard, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
How do you classify this baby based on her gestational age?
Infants with a gestational age of 42 weeks or more are called postterm infants. About 5% of infants are born postterm. As these infants also have an increased risk of neonatal problems, a pregnancy of 42 weeks or more is regarded as too long. Infants born before 37 weeks gestation are called preterm infants.
What is the Apgar score for a newborn?
One person could score a baby a “7” while another could score the baby a “6.”. This is why the Apgar score is just one of several assessments used to evaluate a newborn’s general condition. Last medically reviewed on February 9, 2018. Parenthood. Baby.
What is the maximum score for a combined Apgar?
The maximum score of the Combined-Apgar score is 17, which indicates a baby who hasn’t received any interventions and receives all points. A score of 0 indicates the baby didn’t respond to interventions.
How long does it take for an apgar score to be recorded?
1 point: irregular, weak crying. 2 points: good, strong cry. The Apgar scores are recorded at one and five minutes. This is because if a baby’s scores are low at one minute, a medical staff will likely intervene, or increased interventions already started. At five minutes, the baby has ideally improved. If the score is very low after five minutes, ...
What is the Apgar score?
The Apgar score is a scoring system doctors and nurses use to assess newborns one minute and five minutes after they’re born. Dr. Virginia Apgar created the system in 1952, and used her name as a mnemonic for each of the five categories that a person will score.
Why assign an Apgar score?
However, assigning an Apgar score is a quick way to help others understand the baby’s condition immediately after birth.
Why do babies get 10?
However, a baby rarely scores a 10 in the first few moments of life. This is because most babies have blue hands or feet immediately after birth.
Is the Apgar score subjective?
Also, because a person is assigning the number, the Apgar score is subjective. One person could score a baby a “7” ...

Overview
The Ballard Maturational Assessment, Ballard Score, or Ballard Scale is a commonly used technique of gestational age assessment. It was devised by Dr Jeanne L Ballard, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
The assessment assigns a score to various criteria, the sum of all of which is then extrapolated …
The neuromuscular criteria
These are:
1. Posture:muscle tone is reflected in the infant's preferred posture at rest. As maturation progresses, the foetus gradually assumes increasing passive flexor tone at rest that precedes in a centripetal direction with lower extremities slightly ahead of upper extremities. Term newborn (flexed posture) and preterm newborn (extended posture).
Scoring
Each of the above criteria are scored from 0 through 5, in the original Ballard Score. The scores were then ranged from 5 to 50, with the corresponding gestational ages being 26 weeks and 44 weeks. An increase in the score by 5 increases the age by 2 weeks. The New Ballard Score allows scores of -1 for the criteria, hence making negative scores possible. The possible scores then range from -10 to 50, the gestational range extending up to 20 weeks. (A simple formula to com…
See also
• Apgar score
External links
• BallardScore.com