An attempt to estimate gestational age of newborns using physical characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the validity of using some physical characteristics to estimate gestational age of the Yemini newborn babies and to compare the results with the findings of other similar studies.


METHODS
By using the definitions of 12 physical characteristics and the simple and multiple regression methods, the gestational ages of 184 Yemeni newborns were estimated.


RESULTS
The study has proved that, with reasonable estimation precision, only 5 physical characteristics namely skin texture, skin opacity, plantar creases, ear firmness and skull hardness can be used to estimate the gestational age of the Yemeni newborn babies. Further, estimation precision will be very slightly affected by dropping out both skin opacity and skull hardness from the estimation process.


CONCLUSIONS
As this study is the first of its kind in Yemen, it is important to take its findings into consideration and to use these findings as a base line for relative future research.
Al-Mansoob
M A
MA
Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Sana'a University, PO Box 12092, Sana'a, Republic of Yemen. makalmansoob@y.net.ye
Al-Nuzeili
A S
AS
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015982:Bias; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015006:Yemen