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Prematurity means that the newborn is born before the normal term of pregnancy, which is usually less than 37 weeks of gestation.Premature infants have lower scores on the New Ballard Scale because they have less developed physical and neuromuscular features.

Developmental delays mean that the newborn has not reached certain milestones of growth and development that are expected for their age.

Neurological immaturity means that the newborn has not developed sufficient brain function and nervous system activity that are necessary for survival and adaptation.

It assesses the newborn’s cognitive development.The New Ballard Scale does not measure cognitive development, but rather physical and neuromuscular maturity.

It evaluates the baby’s physical strength and coordination.The New Ballard Scale does not measure strength and coordination, but rather physical characteristics such as skin, lanugo, plantar surface, breast, eye/ear, and genitals, and neuromuscular characteristics such as posture, square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle, scarf sign, and heel to ear.

It measures the newborn’s respiratory maturity.The New Ballard Scale does not measure respiratory maturity, but rather gestational age based on physical and neuromuscular criteria.

Skin thickness and appearance are part of the physical maturity score, not the neuromuscular maturity score.

Presence of lanugo and breast buds are also part of the physical maturity score, not the neuromuscular maturity score.

Creases on the bottom of feet are another part of the physical maturity score, not the neuromuscular maturity score.

Leathery and cracked skin is a sign of postmaturity, not prematurity.

Underdeveloped breast buds and flat scrotum are signs of very preterm or extremely preterm infants, not late preterm infants.

Wrinkled and transparent skin are also signs of very preterm or extremely preterm infants, not late preterm infants.

A pre-term baby has a gestational age of less than 37 weeks and would have immature physical characteristics such as sticky or transparent skin, no creases on the feet, and abundant lanugo.

A late pre-term baby has a gestational age of 34 to 36 weeks and would have less developed physical characteristics such as smooth pink skin, faint red marks on the feet, and thinning lanugo.

A post-term baby has a gestational age of more than 42 weeks and would have more advanced physical characteristics such as cracking or leathery skin, no lanugo, and pendulous testes or large labia majora.