Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between gestational age (GA) and neonatal anthropometric parameters, namely head circumference and crown heel length. Method: A cross-sectional study in Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital Darbhanga, Bihar, India for 14 months. with 300 consecutively live-born newborns. Their birth weight, mid-arm circumference, length and head circumference were measured and compared with gestational age assessed by New Ballard score. We summarized the variables using descriptive statistics, and the strength of association was determined through correlation analysis. Result: Amongst 300 newborns, 71% were term and 29% were preterm. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between gestational age as assessed by New Ballard score and head circumference, birth weight, mid-arm circumference and length all showed a significant positive correlation in the decreasing order [maximum with head circumference (r = 0.526)]. Linear regression analysis was done to develop predictive equations. Conclusion: Head circumference measurement can be a surrogate marker to predict prematurity as a significant correlation is seen between it and gestational age assessed by the New Ballard score. Further studies are needed to cross-validate our result.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between gestational age (GA) and neonatal anthropometric parameters, namely head circumference and crown heel length. Method: A cross-sectional study in Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital Darbhanga, Bihar, India for 14 months. with 300 consecutively live-born newborns. Their birth weight, mid-arm circumference, length and head circumference were measured and compared with gestational age assessed by New Ballard score. We summarized the variables using descriptive statistics, and the strength of association was determined through correlation analysis. Result: Amongst 300 newborns, 71% were term and 29% were preterm. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between gestational age as assessed by New Ballard score and head circumference, birth weight, mid-arm circumference and length all showed a significant positive correlation in the decreasing order [maximum with head circumference (r = 0.526)]. Linear regression analysis was done to develop predictive equations. Conclusion: Head circumference measurement can be a surrogate marker to predict prematurity as a significant correlation is seen between it and gestational age assessed by the New Ballard score. Further studies are needed to cross-validate our result.