The role of skin fold thickness in the assessment of maturity innewborn infants

Abstract

Gestational age has traditionally been used as strong indicator for the risk of neonatal morbidity and mofiality. Indeed, survival increases with increasing gestational age. Therefore a full-term neonate carries less morbidity and mortality in comparison with pretdrm neonate. Assessment of maturity requires the utilization of many physical and neurological criteria. Measurement of skin fold thickness is an easy maneuver. The aim of the present study is to assess whether the skin fold thickness is of benefit in the assessment of maturity. One hundred preterm and 10! full-term neonates, their skin fold thickness were measured by using the skin fold thickness caliper, the skin fold thickness of the preterm neonates (2.4 mm + 0.5) were found to be significantly lower than the skin fold thickness of the full-term neonates (4.2 mm+ 0.9) at aP value of less than 0.01. It is evident from this study that there was a strong positive correlation between the gestational age and the skin fold thickness, that is mean the skin fold thickness is higher with increasing gestational age. In conclusion; skin fold thickness can be considered as a palameter in the assessment of maturity of the newbom neonates.