The Ballard Score assesses the physical and neuromuscular maturity of newborn infants.
Study Parameters:
(1) neuromuscular maturity: 6 parameters
(2) physical maturity: 7 parameters
Neuromuscular Maturity
(1) posture
(2) square window (wrist)
(3) arm recoil
(4) popliteal angle
(5) scarf sign
(6) heel to ear
Physical Maturity
(1) skin
(2) lanugo
(3) plantar surface
(4) breast
(5) ear
(6) genitals, male
(7) genitals, female
Ballard Score =
= SUM (points for each parameter)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 54
Correlation of score with gestational age
|
Score
|
Week
|
|
5
|
26
|
|
10
|
28
|
|
15
|
30
|
|
20
|
32
|
|
25
|
34
|
|
30
|
36
|
|
35
|
38
|
|
40
|
40
|
|
45
|
42
|
|
50
|
44
|
