Description

The Nutrition Score is used to assess the subcutaneous fat deposits of the newborn infant.


Areas examined:

(1) face

(2) chest

(3) thigh

(4) buttocks

 

Category

Description

Score

face (baby supine, head in mid-line)

excess fullness to face

5

 

large temporal and buccal pads

4

 

flat temporal pads with obvious buccal pads

3

 

flat temporal pads with scant buccal pads

2

 

concave cheeks

1

chest (head in mid-line, observe anterior chest wall)

round contour, with large fat pads in anterior axilla

5

 

round contour with ribs not obvious

4

 

some ribs noted

3

 

ribs more obvious, with intercostal spaces prominent

2

 

ribs prominent, with intercostal spaces concave

1

thigh (over inguinal triangle)

skin taut

5

 

skin and subcutaneous tissue displaceable with difficulty

4

 

skin and subcutaneous tissue moderately displaceable

3

 

skin and soft tissue easily displaceable

2

 

skin lies in folds with little subcutaneous tissue

1

buttocks (body prone, legs flexed beneath abdomen)

buttocks large, round and firm, with deep gluteal fold

5

 

buttocks round and firm, with deep gluteal fold

4

 

buttocks round and less firm. with flattening of inferior border; less deep gluteal fold

3

 

flat inferior margin to buttocks, with gluteus maximus and perirectal muscles obvious; gluteal fold flattened

2

 

little to no gluteus maximus, with inferior margin sagging; no gluteal fold

1

 

 

nutrition score =

= (score for face) + (score for chest) + (score for thigh) + (score for buttocks)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score 4

• maximum score 20

• normal singleton infants have a mean nutrition score of 13.8, with range of 12 to 16


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