A population of 211 Melanesian babies born in Port Moresby after a known gestation were studied using the Dubowitz gestational assessment in order to assess the method in Melanesians. After exclusion of obvious outliers the regression equation for gestational age on total score was not significantly different from that of Dubowitz. Melanesian babies had relatively more mature neurological scores than external scores. The Dubowitz method of gestational assessment may be used without restandardization in a Melanesian population.
Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Melanesia - ethnology ; Observer Variation ; Papua New Guinea