The gestational age of a newborn is the length of his or her gestation up to delivery. We are interested in this concept only because it helps in predicting what problems a newborn might be prone to develop. Also, gestational age assessment helps us in understanding what went on in utero. When a 38 week gestation baby is growth retarded , for example, it implies a poor pregnancy, with possible placental problems or significant maternal health problems, maternal smoking, and so forth.
Gestational age is determined by several means.
This determination is of course of most importance when the newborn is born early. Beyond 42 weeks gestation is postterm gestation, may herald problems with the baby related to the fact that the placenta tends to become less and less functional as gestation goes too far past the due date.