The Modified Ballard Score estimates a newborn's gestational age from physical exam alone, useful when maternal dating is uncertain or unavailable. PediAid's calculator scores 6 neuromuscular maturity signs and 5 physical maturity signs, plus a genital exam (male or female, one selected), each on a scale of -1 to 5, then converts the total score into an estimated gestational age and maturity category. The app cites 'Ballard JL et al., Pediatrics 1991' as its reference.
GA (weeks) = (2 x total score + 120) / 5, taken directly from the app's calculation logic.
12 scored items total: 6 neuromuscular signs, 5 physical signs, and one genital exam (male or female, scored once).
Extremely Preterm (under 28 weeks), Very Preterm (under 32 weeks), Moderate to Late Preterm (under 37 weeks), Term (up to 42 weeks), and Post-term (over 42 weeks).
Per the app's own bedside guidance: with the infant supine, fully flex both elbows and hold about 5 seconds, fully extend the arms, then release, and score how briskly and completely the arms spring back into flexion.
The result bar shows 'Incomplete -- select all parameters to see gestational age' until every standard parameter plus one genital option has been selected.