[Results of a standard value determination concerning newborn infants in the German Democratic Republic. III. Morphologic assessment of maturity].

A simple technique for estimating of maturity in 15589 newborns without technical expense were performed in connection with the examination of birthweight, length, head circumference and head diameters at a gestational age of 31st to 44th week in 21 women's clinics in the GDR. The estimation of maturity is based on the gradual assessment of 8 external physical characteristics. The coefficients of correlation is not differed between characteristics of maturity, measures of newborns and duration of pregnancy. It is not possible to make an accurate statement of duration of pregnancy by this score of maturity than by measures of the newborns.