Physical Maturity Assessment Notes

Physical Maturity Assessment

Assessment Parameters

  • The physical maturity assessment evaluates several key physical characteristics to determine the gestational age of a newborn. These characteristics include:
    • Skin
    • Lanugo
    • Plantar Surface
    • Creases
    • Breast
    • Eye/Ear
    • Genitals

Skin

  • Premature: The skin appears sticky and transparent.
  • Mature: The skin has a leathery and wrinkled appearance, indicative of a post-mature infant.

Lanugo

  • Lanugo is fine, downy hair that covers the body of the fetus. Its presence and amount can indicate the baby's maturity.
    • None (very premature): Lanugo is absent in very premature infants.
    • Present (premature): Lanugo is present in premature infants.
    • Mostly bald: Lanugo is mostly bald in mature infants

Plantar Surface Creases

  • The plantar surface refers to the soles of the feet. The creases on the plantar surface are assessed.
    • Absent: Creases are absent in premature infants.
    • Creases over entire sole: Creases are present over the entire sole in mature infants.

Breast

  • Breast development is assessed by evaluating the areola and the presence of a breast bud.
    • Imperceptible: No breast bud is present or the areola is barely perceptible.
    • Full areola with 5 - 10 mm bud: A full areola with a 5 to 10 mm breast bud indicates maturity.

Eye/Ear

  • The eyes and ears are assessed for their development and recoil.
    • Lids fused/no recoil of pinna: In premature infants, the eyelids may be fused, and the pinna (the external part of the ear) shows no recoil when folded.
    • Eyes open/pinna recoils when folded: In mature infants, the eyes are open, and the pinna recoils when folded.

Genitals

  • The development of the genitals differs between males and females.
    • Flat smooth scrotum OR prominent clitoris w/flat labia: In premature males, the scrotum is flat and smooth. In premature females, the clitoris is prominent with flat labia.
    • Pendulous testes w/rugae OR labia majora covering labia minora and clitoris: In mature males, the testes are pendulous with rugae (folds). In mature females, the labia majora covers the labia minora and clitoris.