What is the Dubowitz score for a full-term infant?

The Dubowitz score is a clinical assessment tool used to evaluate gestational age in newborns. It ranges from 20 to 50, with higher scores indicating a higher gestational age. A full-term infant typically has a gestational age of around 37 to 42 weeks, correlating with a Dubowitz score that falls closer to the upper end of the scale.

A score of 40 is consistent with a full-term infant, as it reflects the expected physical and neurological maturity present at this stage of development. This score encompasses various factors, including reflexes, physical characteristics, and gestational age indicators, all aligning with developmental milestones for full-term infants.

The other scores are either lower or higher than the expected range for a full-term newborn, making them less appropriate in this context. A score of 30 would indicate a younger gestational age, while scores of 35 and 45 could indicate either near term or post-term status, but do not represent the typical assessment of a full-term infant as accurately as a score of 40 does.